Data from the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) revealed that human growth hormone deficiency affects the lives of an estimated 50,000 adults in the U.S. That means the pituitary and hypothalamus glands, both of which are part of the body’s endocrine system, are not secreting enough human growth hormones (HGH) into their bloodstream. Such a hormonal deficiency can adversely affect their physical and mental health. It can also increase the risk of falling victim to hypothyroidism and high cortisol levels, which, too, can be consequential to overall health and well-being, say most endocrinologists in Chicago. To appreciate why low HGH levels can impact one’s overall health and make them more susceptible to developing other hormonal imbalances, it helps to know more about these hormones and their role in the body.
Shedding Light on Human Growth Hormones and Their Role in the Body
From childhood well into adulthood, human growth hormones, also known as peptide hormones, play a crucial role in our health and overall well-being. After they are secreted into the bloodstream by the pituitary and hypothalamus glands, human growth hormones travel to target cells throughout the body and bind to cell receptors. This targeting and binding trigger a response that affects cellular activity and facilitates multiple physiological processes that enable the body to function optimally. Some of these physiological processes include promoting growth and development and regulating the following:
- Blood glucose levels
- Body composition
- Body fluids
- Fat metabolism
- Heart function
When someone develops a growth hormone deficiency, which can stem from aging, exposure to certain environmental toxins, radiation treatments involving the head or neck, hypothalamic or pituitary diseases, and many other things, it disrupts the regulation of many bodily processes. That disruption can trigger an array of unpleasant physiological and psychological symptoms, some of which can include the following:
- Anxiety and depression
- Chronic fatigue
- Headaches
- Hypercholesterolemia
- Increased sensitivity to heat and cold
- Lack of mental clarity and focus
- Low libido
- Osteogenesis imperfecta
- Reduced muscle mass
- Reduced strength and stamina
- Skin problems
Along with these symptoms, many people who struggle with low human growth hormone levels sometimes suffer from high cortisol levels and hypothyroidism as a result. These two hormonal imbalances can open the door to even more symptoms.
Hypothyroidism and High Cortisol Levels: How the Two Might Be Related to Human Growth Hormone Deficiency
Cortisol plays a crucial role in the body. Secreted by the adrenal glands, cortisol helps manage stress and regulates metabolism, blood sugar levels, inflammation, and blood pressure. Too much cortisol, however, is a bad thing. Elevated or high cortisol levels as a result of an HGH deficiency can lead to Cushing’s syndrome. Also known as hypercortisolism, Cushing’s syndrome is a medical condition characterized by excessive blood cortisol levels. Studies show that an estimated 10 to 15 new Cushing’s syndrome cases per million people are diagnosed in the U.S. annually. Common symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome include the following:
- Irritability, anxiety, and depression
- Osteoporosis
- Stretch marks on the abdomen, breasts, or thighs
- The development of fatty tissue between the shoulders
- Thin, fragile skin that bruises easily
- Weight gain and a noticeably puffy, rounder face
Most people with a growth hormone deficiency develop high cortisol levels because of the adverse effects low growth hormones have on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the neuroendocrine system that controls reactions to stress involving the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands. Too few growth hormones in the blood can also negatively alter cortisol metabolism, the biochemical process that allows the body to modify and break down cortisol.
Having discussed the relationship between low GH and cortisol, let’s shift gears a bit and discuss the relationship between low growth hormone levels and hypothyroidism. For those unaware, hypothyroidism is a medical condition in which the thyroid does not secrete enough thyroxine (T4) or triiodothyronine (T3) hormones to regulate and support critical bodily functions, such as metabolism, energy, body temperature, heart rate, brain development, muscle function, and bone maintenance. Hypothyroidism symptoms can include the following:
- Brittle hair and nails
- Constipation
- Depression
- Dry, scaly skin
- Fatigue
- Low libido
- Muscle aches and weakness
- Muscle cramps
- Weight gain
Studies show that low HGH levels can increase the risk of hypothyroidism because of how it adversely affects the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. It can also negatively affect thyroid hormone-binding proteins in the blood, which, in turn, can affect the amount of free thyroid hormone available to various tissues in the body. But it does not end there. Low HGH levels in the blood can interfere with T4 to T3 Conversion, the biological process that allows relatively inactive thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) to change into biologically active thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3). According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), nearly 5% of Americans aged 12 and older have hypothyroidism.
Natural and Medicinal Ways To Combat Low HGH and Other Hormonal Imbalances
Studies show that adopting healthy lifestyle habits can benefit most people living with a hormonal imbalance. That includes those with low HGH and related high cortisol levels or hypothyroidism. These healthy lifestyle habits include getting plenty of deep, restorative sleep each night, consuming a healthy and well-balanced diet, staying hydrated, and finding ways to eliminate or better cope with stress. As far as medicinal treatments, many FDA-approved medications can help stimulate the production of HGH, such as Humatrope, Sogroya, and Nutropin. There are also FDA-approved medications that can help stimulate the production of thyroid hormones, like levothyroxine and liothyronine. Lastly, ketoconazole, metyrapone, and mitotane are a few of the many medications approved by the FDA to help lower high cortisol levels.
Schedule an Appointment With an Endocrinologist Today
In summary, many people in the U.S. have a human growth hormone deficiency and are simultaneously struggling with hypothyroidism or low cortisol levels. Fortunately, there are natural and medicinal treatments that can help. To learn more, consider speaking with your endocrinologist or doing a Google search using the keywords “HGH therapy near me” to find a hormone clinic in your area.
Also Read-The Rise of Online Casinos: A Digital Revolution in Entertainment
