Treating Growth Hormone Deficiency
Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is caused by an absence of or insufficient production of growth hormone from the pituitary gland. Children require growth hormone to sustain normal growth and development. GHD is most common in the pediatric population. However, deficiency can arise in adults who, for example, have a history of pituitary tumors or pituitary surgery or radiation. In the adult population, growth hormone helps maintain body fat, muscle and bone.
Symptoms of GHD in Children
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Symptoms of GHD in Adults
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Therapy Support & Medications
Children and some adults are likely to benefit from growth hormone replacement therapy. Two types of replacement options exist, growth hormone (GH) and growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), depending on the patient's specific deficiency. Most patients are candidates for growth hormone replacement, accomplished by subcutaneous injections of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH). Dosing frequency depends on the patient's response and can vary from 5-7 days a week to once a month. Frequently dispensed medications include*:
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If GHD is caused by failure of the hypothalamus, the patient may require GHRH, administered daily as a subcutaneous injection such as sermorelin.
Your Partner in Therapeutic Success
CoramRx maximizes compliance, minimizes complications and helps patients achieve therapeutic success in the most cost-efficient and clinically effective way possible. One week prior to each prescription dispense, you will receive a refill reminder phone call. To help ensure success with your GHD therapy, your pharmacy department team member will ask a series of clinical monitoring questions related to: Compliance to prescribed therapy, drug side effects, change in medication profile, disease status and effectiveness of prescribed therapy.
Patient Resources
The organizations listed below offer a variety of services and resources for consumers and caregivers. Please note that some organizations may charge a fee for access to services. This listing is not an endorsement of these organizations, or information they may disseminate. We strongly suggest you discuss any information you receive from these organizations with a qualified professional before making any changes in your healthcare, insurance coverage or home care provider.
The Endocrine Society — devoted to research on hormones and the clinical practice of endocrinology. The Society works to foster a greater understanding of endocrinology amongst the general public and practitioners of complementary medical disciplines and to promote the interests of all endocrinologists at the national scientific research and health policy levels of government.
The Hormone Foundation — serves as a resource for the public by promoting the prevention, treatment and cure of hormone-related conditions through outreach and education.
The Human Growth Foundation — a voluntary, non-profit organization whose mission is to help children, and adults with disorders of growth and growth hormone through research, education, support, and advocacy.
The Magic Foundation — a national non-profit organization created to provide support services for the families of children afflicted with a wide variety of chronic and/or critical disorders, syndromes and diseases that affect a child's growth.
FDA: Disposing Unused Medication — government guidelines for disposing unused medicine. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) worked with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to develop the first consumer guidance for proper disposal of prescription drugs.
Learn More
- To learn more about your options for managing GHD and CoramRx, please contact us.
- To enroll as a GHD patient with CoramRx, please complete our Patient Enrollment Form.
*Please contact CoramRx about other therapies not listed here.