Human Growth Hormone (HGH)

Human Growth Hormone (HGH), also known as somatotrophin, is a hormone that is synthesized, stored and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, an endocrine gland in the human body.

Human growth hormone promotes the growth, especially growth of the long bones in the limbs (i.e. the femur, tibia, and fibula in the legs and the humerus, ulna, and radius in the arms). It also increases the synthesis of proteins.

The release of the hormone human growth hormone into the bloodstream is controlled by the balancing / opposing effects of growth-hormone releasing hormone and somatostatin. However when the balance between these effects is disrupted there may be excess or insufficient human growth hormone in the body.

Insufficient HGH leads to:

• Dwarfism (when occurs in children)

Excess HGH leads to:

• Gigantism (when occurs in children)
• Acromegaly (when occurs in adults)

See also: What is a Hormone ?

For further general information including the locations of the endocrine glands, see the Endocrine Glands of the Human Body.