Human growth hormone HGH is a peptide hormone produced by th

Human growth hormone (HGH) is a peptide hormone produced by the pituitary gland. a. HGH injections are FDA-approved for treating short stature (poor growth) in children. Children respond differently to HGH injections with some reaching a normal adult height and others retaining their short stature. Explain why it is possible to get different responses in patients who receive the same dose of HGH. b. HGH supplements are used by some adults to build muscle mass. (The use of these HGH supplements is not FDA-approved.) Using your knowledge of hormone regulation in the body, do you think there could be negative side effects to taking HGH supplements? Explain why are why not.

Solution

Differnet reponses to the patient who get the same dose of the HGH to improve height is due to the fact that height is controlled by two factors: genetic and environmental. The same doses of HGH supplementation give differnet response as nutrition level, physical health, surroundings, physical activities, body\' condition (healthy, immune system) also determine the height of the individual. Since thse factors (the environmental factors) vary for different individuals, HGH gives different responses.
Use of HGH for the muscle mass builiding is not FDA approved as athletes use it to improove their muscle mass and thereby to improve their performance. Also HGH supplements are used to counteract the natrually reducing level of the hormone with increasing age. Therefore, use of HGH for muscle mass builiding affect the body by reversing the natural process of ageing.