Growth Hormone (GH)

About 20 percent of all pituitary tumors are GH secreting tumors. They are more common in men than women. GH actually stimulates the liver to produce another hormone, Somatomedin-C or Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1). This hormone, in turn, regulates the growth of bones, muscles and many other organs.

In children, excess production leads to gigantism.

In adults, it leads to enlargement of the hands, feet and jaw (acromegaly). These patients also may suffer from diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disease and arthritis. Some develop colon polyps and cancer.

Click here to learn more about treatment options for functioning pituitary tumors.

For more information, please contact:

Rebecca O. Heitkam, RN, BSN, CCRN, coordinator
Gamma Knife Center
Saint Joseph's Hospital
678-843-5513
or toll free at 1-866-SJGAMMA

or email
rheitkam@sjha.org