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Information relating to specific disease areas aligned to Pfizer’s portfolio and other resources designed for Pfizer medicines.

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Information on how to access Genotropin® (somatropin, rbe) prescribing information and adverse event reporting can be found at the bottom of the page.

Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency

Normal growth hormone production

Growth hormone (GH) is produced by the anterior pituitary gland, and has a role in the regulation of protein, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in addition to increasing growth in children1​​​​​​​.

Growth hormone secretion is intermittent and is predominantly produced during deep sleep.  Peak growth hormone production is reached during adolescence, and production then declines by approximately 14% every decade​​​​​​​1​​​​​​​.

Causes of adult growth hormone deficiency (GHD)​​​​​​​1

  • Adult GHD can be a result of adult or childhood onset, and may occur as an isolated GH deficiency or as part of a multiple pituitary hormone deficiency.
  • ​​​​​​​Several possible aetiologies may underlie GHD​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.

 Childhood-onset GHD1

  • Childhood-onset GHD is often idiopathic, and may continue into adult life.
  • Iatrogenic GHD may also occur in survivors of childhood malignancy as a result of previous cranial irradiation or chemotherapy​​​​.

The Society for Endocrinology estimates that approximately 1 in 10,000 adults in the UK population will develop adult onset GHD1​​​​​​​.

Adult patients who are commonly tested for GHD include:
1) Those with signs and symptoms of hypothalamic–pituitary disease (endocrine, structural, and/or genetic causes)2
2) Those who have received cranial irradiation or tumor treatment2
3) Those with traumatic brain injury or subarachnoid haemorrhage​​​​​​​2

 Adult-onset GHD

Untreated GHD in adults may be associated with:

  • A reduced quality of life and reduced energy levels 1,3,4
  • Altered body composition with increased fat mass around the trunk along with dyslipidaemia and hypertension are likely to contribute to increased cardiovascular mortality in GHD 1,3
  • Reduced bone mineral density, with increased risks of osteopenia and osteoporosis1,5.  There is 2-5 fold increased risk of fractures in adults with GHD vs. non GHD deficient populations 5
  • Reduced exercise capacity and a reduction in muscle strength 1,6,7,8
  • Increased cardiovascular risk as a result of
    • Increased thickness of the intima media of blood vessels1
    • Increased levels of fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor1
    • Lipid abnormalities, especially elevated LDL cholesterol1
    • Insulin resistance1
    • Impaired cardiac function1

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Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency

Find out more about how Genotropin can help your patients with adult growth hormone deficiency on our Genotropin brand site

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Patient Transition

Learn more about how you can transition your patients from paediatric to adult care on our Genotropin brand site

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References:
​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​1. NICE Guidance [TA64]. Human growth hormone (somatropin) in adults with growth hormone deficiency.
2. Ho KKY. European J Endocrinol 2007, 157: 695-700. 
3. Trainer P. Koltowska-Haggstrom, M. KIMS Pfizer International Metabolic Database. Overview 2008 Number 11.  
4. Copinschi G, et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2010, 95(1): 2195-2202. 
5. Molitch M, et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2010, 95(5): 1621-1634.
6. Widdowson WM, Gibney J. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2008, 93: 4413-4417.
7. Brod M, et al. BMC Research Notes 2014, 7:813.
8. Janssen Y, et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1999, 84(1): 279-284.

PP-GEN-GBR-0902. March 2021

The Genotropin Delivery Portfolio

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Adverse events should be reported. Reporting forms and information can be found at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in Google Play or Apple App Store

Adverse events should also be reported to Pfizer Medical Information on 01304 616161

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PP-PFE-GBR-2688. December 2020

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