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Uses of Somatotropin

Somatropin is better known as synthetic growth hormone, or HGH, or recombinant growth hormone, or rhGH. Natural human growth hormone is extracted from the human pituitary gland, but in 1985 a biosynthetic form of HGH was created to replace natural HGH. The British term for the synthetic growth hormone is somatrophin.

  1. Uses for Growth

    • Somatropin has many common uses, most of them dealing with growth problems.

      In cases of human growth hormone deficiency, the body does not produce enough growth hormone necessary for muscle and bone development. The most common causes for this condition are a malformed pituitary gland or mutated genes. It promotes bone and muscle growth in prepubescent children, and muscle growth in pubescent children and adults.

      Some children are born small for gestational age, or SGA, or with intrauterine growth retardation, or IUGR. Somatropin is used when children have not grown due to an undetermined cause.

      Somatropin is used in cases of short stature caused by Turner's syndrome, which is a disease in women in which part or all of one of their X-chromosomes is missing. Treatments usually start at about age 7 and last until puberty to promote bone growth.

      It can treat short stature caused by Prader-Willi Syndrome, or PWS, which is caused by abnormalities in chromosome 15 by genes passed from the father. It can be found in people of both sexes and can lead to obesity, short stature, low muscle tone and cognitive disabilities.

      Somatropin can treat growth problems caused by short bowel syndrome, where part of the short bowel does not function properly or is missing. There is poor absorption of nutrients, causing loss of muscle mass and weight. The HGH is given to increase muscle mass before performing surgery to correct the short bowel.

      It also treats improper growth in children with chronic renal disease, which causes loss of kidney function. The child will be placed on dialysis until a renal transplant can be performed. Meanwhile, the child will receive HGH to promote growth, which is highly hindered in children with renal disease.

    AIDS Wasting and Cachexia

    • At least 10 percent of body weight is lost through muscle and fat loss due to the AIDS virus. Weight loss can occur through loss of appetite, nausea or poor absorption of nutrients.

      Cachexia is 10 percent or more weight loss and muscle deterioration due to malnutrition. This is very common in anorexia or in cancer patients on chemotherapy.

    Children with XLH

    • Children with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets, or XLH, suffer from bone mineralization problems. Their teeth and bones develop poorly. Growth is stunted, and spontaneous dental abscesses occur. HGH will strengthen the child's bones and accelerate growth.

    Weight Loss and Anti-Aging

    • HGH is used by aging adults to increase metabolism and burn unwanted fat, since levels of HGH decrease as we age. It is also used as an anti-aging drug against skin damage, hair loss in males, memory loss, bone deterioration and cell damage, causing wrinkles and aging.

    Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoporosis

    • HGH is used mainly in children with rheumatoid arthritis to promote strengthening of bones, ligaments and joints. It also is used in osteoporosis, the deterioration of bones in individuals 30 years and older.

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