STH is a growth hormone. Growth hormone: normal and abnormal

Direct participation in the proper development of the child's body takes a somatotropic hormone (STG). Hormones of growth are extremely important for a growing organism. It is from the STG that the correct and proportional body formation depends. And the excess or deficiency of such a substance leads to gigantism or, on the contrary, a growth retardation. In an adult human body, the growth hormone is contained in a smaller amount than a child or adolescent, but still is important. If the hormone is raised in adults, this can lead to the development of acromegaly.

General information

Somatotropin, or STG, is a growth hormone that regulates the development of the whole organism. This substance is produced in the anterior pituitary gland. Synthesis of growth hormone is controlled by two main regulators: somatotropin-releasing factor (STGF) and somatostatin, which are produced by the hypothalamus. Somatostatin and STGF activate the formation of somatotropin and determine the time and amount of its excretion. STG is an anabolic hormone, the intensity of the metabolism of lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and mineral metabolism depends on it. Somatotropin activates the biosynthesis of protein, glycogen, DNA, accelerates the mobilization of fats from the depot and the breakdown of fatty acids. STH is a hormone that has a lactogenic activity. The biological effect of growth hormone is impossible without the low molecular weight peptide of somatomedine C. When introducing STH in the blood, the "secondary" growth factors, somatomedins, increase. There are the following somatomedins: A ₁ , A ₂ , B and C. The latter exerts an insulin-like action on fat, muscle and cartilaginous tissues.

The main functions of somatotropin in the human body

The growth hormone (STH) is synthesized throughout life and has a powerful effect on all systems of our body. Let's look at the most important functions of such a substance:

• The cardiovascular system. STH is a hormone that is involved in the regulation of cholesterol. Deficiency of this substance can provoke atherosclerosis of the vessels, heart attack, stroke and other diseases.
• Leather. Growth hormone is an indispensable component in the process of producing collagen, responsible for the condition of the skin. If the hormone (STG) is lowered, the collagen is synthesized in insufficient quantity and, as a consequence, the aging processes of the skin are accelerated.
• The weight. At night (during sleep), somatotropin takes a direct part in the process of lipid digestion. Violation of this mechanism causes a gradual obesity.
• Bone. The growth hormone in children and adolescents provides an elongation of the bones, and in the adult person - their strength. It is due to the fact that somatotropin is involved in the synthesis of vitamin D ₃ in the body responsible for the stability and strength of bones. Such a factor helps to cope with various diseases and severe bruises.
• Muscle. STG (hormone) is responsible for the strength and elasticity of muscle fibers.
• The tone of the body. Growth hormone has a positive effect on the entire body. Helps keep energy, good mood, strong sleep.

Growth hormone is very important for the preservation of harmony and beautiful body shapes. One of the functions of growth hormone is the transformation of adipose tissue into muscle tissue, this is what athletes and anyone who follows the figure are trying to achieve. STH - a hormone that improves mobility and flexibility of the joints, makes the muscles more elastic.

In the older age the normal content in the blood of the growth hormone prolongs longevity. Initially, the growth hormone was used to treat various senile ailments. In the world of sports, this substance was used for some time by athletes to build muscle, but soon the growth hormone was banned for official use, although today it is actively used by bodybuilders.

STH (hormone): norm and abnormalities

What are the normal values of growth hormone for humans? At different ages, the indicators of such a substance as STH (a hormone) are different. The norm in women also differs significantly from the normal values for men:

• Newborn babies up to one day - 5-53 mcg / l.
• Newborn babies up to one week - 5-27 mkg / l.
• Children aged from one month to a year - 2-10 mkg / l.
• Men of middle age - 0-4 mcg / l.
• Women of middle age - 0-18 mkg / l.
• Men older than 60 years of age - 1-9 mkg / l.
• Women over 60 years of age - 1-16 mkg / l.

Deficiency of growth hormone in the body

Special attention is paid to somatotropin in childhood. Deficiency of STH in children is a serious disorder that can provoke not only a backwardness in growth, but also a delay in puberty and general physical development, and in certain cases - dwarfism. Such a violation can be caused by various factors: pathological pregnancy, heredity, hormonal disorders.

Insufficient level of somatotropin in the body of an adult affects the general state of metabolism. A low value of growth hormone accompanies various endocrine diseases, and a deficit of growth hormone can provoke treatment with certain medications, including the use of chemotherapy.

And now a few words about what happens if in the body there is an excess of growth hormone.

STG raised

Excess of growth hormone in the body can cause more serious consequences. Significantly increases the growth not only in adolescents, but also in adults. The height of an adult person can exceed two meters.

In this case, there is a significant increase in limbs - brushes, feet, undergoes major changes and the shape of the face - the nose and lower jaw become larger, the features coarsen. Such changes can be corrected, but in this case, long-term treatment under the supervision of a specialist will be required.

How to determine the level of growth hormone in the body?

Scientists have established that the synthesis of somatotropin in the body occurs undulating, or cycles. Therefore it is very important to know when to take STH (hormone), ie, at what time to do an analysis on its content. In ordinary clinics such a study does not conduct. Determine the content of somatotropin in the blood can be in a specialized laboratory.

What rules should be followed before the analysis?

A week before the analysis on STH (growth hormone), it is necessary to abandon the X-ray examination, since this can affect the reliability of the data. During the day before taking blood, one should adhere to the strictest diet that excludes any fatty foods. Twelve hours before the study, exclude the use of any products. It is also recommended to give up smoking, and in three hours it should be completely excluded. One day before the test is taken, any physical or emotional overstrain is unacceptable. Blood sampling is carried out in the morning, at this time the concentration of growth hormone in the blood is maximal.

How to stimulate the synthesis of somatotropin in the body?

Today, the pharmaceutical market presents a large number of different drugs with growth hormone. The course of treatment with such drugs can last several years. But appoint such medicines must be exclusively specialist after a thorough medical examination and in the presence of objective reasons. Self-medication can not only not improve the situation, but also cause a variety of health problems. In addition, it is possible to activate the production of growth hormone in the body naturally.

Useful recommendations

1. Deep sleep. The most intensive production of growth hormone occurs during a deep sleep, which is why it is necessary to sleep at least seven to eight hours.
2. Rational diet. The last meal should be at a later date than three hours before bedtime. If the stomach is full, the pituitary gland can not actively synthesize growth hormone. Supper is recommended for easily digestible products. For example, you can choose low-fat cottage cheese, lean meat, egg whites and so on.
3. Healthy menu. The basis of nutrition should be fruits, vegetables, dairy and protein foods.
4. Blood. It is very important to monitor the level of glucose in the blood, increasing it can cause a decrease in the production of growth hormone.
5. Physical activity. For children, an excellent option will be sections on volleyball, football, tennis, running for short distances. However, you should know: the duration of any strength training should not exceed 45-50 minutes.
6. Fasting, emotional overstrain, stress, smoking. Such factors also reduce the production of somatotropin in the body.

In addition, significantly reduce the synthesis of growth hormone in the body, such conditions as diabetes, trauma to the pituitary gland, increasing blood cholesterol levels.

Conclusion

In this article, we examined in detail such an important element as the growth hormone. It is on how its development takes place in the body that the functioning of all systems and organs and the general well-being of a person depends.

We hope that the information will be useful to you. Be healthy!