Dr. Grey AI

Growth Hormone Deficiency

A condition characterized by insufficient production of growth hormone by the pituitary gland. In adults (AGHD), diagnosis requires provocative testing with growth hormone secretagogues or insulin tolerance test. Causes metabolic abnormalities and reduced quality of life.

Quick Answer

What it is

A condition characterized by insufficient production of growth hormone by the pituitary gland. In adults (AGHD), diagnosis requires provocative testing with growth hormone secretagogues or insulin tolerance test.

Key findings

  • Grade A: GH Deficiency Diagnosis (Macimorelin (Macrilen))
  • Grade A: GH Stimulation Response (Macimorelin (Macrilen))
  • Grade A: Diagnostic Safety (Macimorelin (Macrilen))

Safety

  • No hypoglycemia risk unlike ITT.
ℹ️ Quick Facts

Quick Facts: Growth Hormone Deficiency

  • Supplements Studied:2
2 supps · 7 outcomes

Detailed Outcomes

A
GH Deficiency Diagnosis
Phase 3: 82-87% sensitivity, 92-96% specificity for AGHD diagnosis. Optimal GH cutoff 2.7-5.1 ng/mL. Accuracy comparable to insulin tolerance test (ITT). First FDA-approved oral GH stimulation test.
large↑Improves
A
GH Stimulation Response
Robust GH release in healthy subjects. Peak response at 30-90 minutes. Reproducible test with low inter- and intra-individual variability. Blunted response (<5.1 ng/mL) indicates GH deficiency.
large↑Improves
A
Diagnostic Safety
No hypoglycemia risk unlike ITT. Well-tolerated single oral dose. Contraindicated only with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. Can be used in patients where ITT is contraindicated (elderly, cardiovascular disease, seizure history).
large↑Improves
B
Growth Hormone Levels
2-10 fold increase in plasma GH for 6+ days
4 studies
large↑Improves
B
IGF-1 Levels
1.5-3 fold increase sustained for 9-11 days
4 studies
large↑Worsens
B
GH Pulse Amplitude
7.5-fold increase in GH pulse amplitude
2 studies
large↑Improves
C
Body Length/Growth
Normalized growth in GH-deficient models
2 studies
moderate↑Improves

Research Citations (46)

Analysis of growth hormone releasing hormone and its analogs in urine using nano liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole/orbitrap mass spectrometry.
(2026)
PMID: 41138283
Molecular recognition of two approved drugs Macimorelin and Anamorelin by the growth hormone secretagogue receptor.
(2025)
PMID: 40542284
Macimorelin Acetate for the Diagnosis of Childhood-onset Growth Hormone Deficiency
(2023)
PMID: 36694890
Pilot clinical trial of macimorelin to assess safety and efficacy in patients with cancer cachexia
(2023)
PMID: 36860137
Diagnosis and testing for growth hormone deficiency across the ages: a global view of the accuracy, caveats, and cut-offs for diagnosis.
(2023)
PMID: 37052176
Early detection of cannabinoids in biological samples based on their affinity interaction with the growth hormone secretagogue receptor.
(2022)
PMID: 34736642
An antibody-free, ultrafiltration-based assay for the detection of growth hormone-releasing hormones in urine at low pg/mL concentrations using nanoLC-HRMS/MS.
(2022)
PMID: 35298973
Advances in the detection of growth hormone releasing hormone synthetic analogs.
(2021)
PMID: 34665524
Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of Macimorelin in Children with Suspected Growth Hormone Deficiency: An Open-Label, Group Comparison, Dose-Escalation Trial
(2021)
PMID: 34438400
Current concepts of the diagnosis of adult growth hormone deficiency.
(2021)
PMID: 32959175

Related Conditions

Sleep Quality

1 shared supplement · 13 outcomes

Research on sleep architecture, sleep disorders, and interventions that improve sleep quality.

Body Composition

1 shared supplement · 253 outcomes

Body composition refers to the relative percentage of fat, muscle, and bone in someone’s body. Body composition is sometimes reported as fat and fat-free mass.

Aging & Longevity

1 shared supplement · 9 outcomes

Research on aging processes, lifespan extension, and longevity-related interventions.