title: Growth hormone deficiency in adults: characteristics and response to growth hormone replacement.
abstract: Despite adequate adrenal, gonadal, and thyroid hormone replacement, many adults with hypopituitarism have a recognizable syndrome of weakness and diminished sense of well-being, accompanied by alterations in metabolism and body composition, as well as increased mortality. Short-term treatment with human growth hormone improves many of these abnormalities, but a clear improvement in functional status has yet to be demonstrated. Until such an effect is shown, the use of growth hormone replacement in adults with hypopituitarism remains investigational.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-1060, USA.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Lieberman
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Hoffman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000502:physiology; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D008074:Lipoproteins; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013006:Growth Hormone