Growth hormone deficiency can be present at birth (or congenital) or develop later in life (or acquired) due to injury or illness. The deficiency happens when the pituitary gland – a small organ at the base of the brain – doesn’t make enough human growth hormone (HGH). 

HGH is important for helping children grow and develop normally. Without enough of it, they may grow slower or stop growing altogether. They may also have delayed puberty.  

In adults, HGH helps maintain muscle mass, bone density, and energy levels. Not enough of it can cause tiredness, weight gain, and weak muscles. When adults develop growth hormone deficiency, it’s usually the result of a brain tumor or severe brain injury. Sometimes it can be the result of chronic swelling of the pituitary called hypophysitis, a condition that develops after treatment with certain cancer medications. 

A pediatric endocrinologist is a doctor who treats hormone problems in children and teens. They focus on conditions that affect growth and development, like growth hormone deficiency, early or delayed puberty, diabetes in children, and thyroid problems. Pediatric endocrinologists are specially trained to understand how hormone issues affect children as they grow and develop. They know how to work with families to manage a child’s condition over time. 

An endocrinologist is a doctor who treats hormone disorders in adults. They deal with conditions like diabetes, thyroid problems, osteoporosis, and hormone imbalances related to the pituitary, adrenal, and other glands. Endocrinologists manage health issues that arise when the body produces too much or too little of a hormone, affecting things like energy, metabolism, and reproduction. 

Growth hormone therapy is a common treatment for growth hormone deficiency and usually involves daily hormone shots. These injections contain a man-made version of the growth hormone that mimics the natural hormone. Patients or family members are taught how to give the shots at home. 

In children, the shots help them grow taller, build stronger bones, and develop muscles. For adults, the treatment can improve energy levels, reduce body fat, and increase muscle strength. In both cases, regular visits to the doctor are essential for monitoring treatment progress and making dosage adjustments as needed. 

Growth hormone treatment should be started as soon as growth hormone deficiency is diagnosed. For children with growth hormone deficiency, early treatment is especially important because it improves their chances of catching up in height before puberty ends. Starting therapy early allows the body to respond better to the hormone, leading to faster and more effective growth. If treatment is delayed, the child might not reach their full height potential. For adults with growth hormone deficiency, starting treatment as soon as symptoms appear can help improve their energy, muscle mass, and overall health. 

Many health insurance plans cover growth hormone therapy, but it depends on the specific insurance policy. Before starting treatment, it’s important to check with the insurance provider to see what is covered. Because growth hormone therapy is expensive, insurance companies may want to see proof from a doctor that the treatment is necessary. Some insurance plans may ask for more tests or paperwork before they approve coverage. It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor and insurance provider to understand what costs might be covered and if there are any limits on the treatment. 

There are various reasons why you may want to see a specialist, such as: 

• Your primary care provider recommends it. 

• Your condition requires expert knowledge and specialized care. 

• Your symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment. 

• You need specialized testing or procedures. 

• You want a second opinion.  

It’s important to see a provider with expertise in your specific condition. Each provider profile in MediFind’s doctor database includes information on which conditions they treat, years of experience, research contributions, languages spoken, insurance plans accepted, and more.  

You can find a Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) doctor in any of the 10 largest U.S. cities by clicking below:

Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) doctor near New York, NY
Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) doctor near Los Angeles, CA
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Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) doctor near Phoenix, AZ
Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) doctor near Philadelphia, PA
Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) doctor near Atlanta, GA
Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) doctor near Boston, MA
Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) doctor near Dallas, TX
Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) doctor near San Jose, CA

MediFind’s rankings are based on a variety of data sources, such as the number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials and industry conferences, as well as the number of patients that provider sees for a given condition. Note that MediFind’s provider database is not based on user reviews, and providers do not pay to be included in the database. 

Most profiles in MediFind’s doctor database include a list of insurance plans accepted by that provider. However, it’s a good idea to contact the provider’s office to make sure they still accept your insurance, then doublecheck by contacting your insurance plan to confirm they’re in network. 

MediFind offers direct scheduling for certain providers using the “Request Appointment” button on that provider’s profile. If the schedule option is not available for a provider, tap the red “Show Phone Number” button on their profile to get their contact information. If you prefer to find providers who offer online scheduling, select “Schedules online” under the “Availability” category of the filter feature on the left side of the Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) doctor search results page. 

Second opinions are an opportunity to confirm a diagnosis and its root cause, learn about alternative treatment options, or simply gain peace of mind. Many people, especially those with serious diagnoses, get second opinions so they can understand all their options and make informed decisions, so don’t hesitate to get one if you have any doubts or need more information or clarification regarding your care. Note that some insurance plans require second opinions, while others don’t cover second opinions, so be sure to confirm with your insurance provider first.   

Prepare for your appointment by gathering the following items: 

• Copies of medical records (dating back at least one year) 

• Your medical history, including illnesses, medical conditions, surgeries, and other doctors you see 

• Family history of disease 

• List of current prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies or supplements including names and doses 

• Allergies to medications, food, latex, insects, etc.  

• List of questions and concerns 

• Your insurance card 

You might also contact the provider’s office to see if they offer transportation or childcare services or if you’re allowed to bring a loved one for support or to take notes during your visit. 

Here are some sample questions: 

• Can you explain in simple terms what this condition is and how it’s treated? 

• What symptoms or side effects should I watch for? 

• What tests will be involved, and when can I expect results? 

• Are there other specialists I need to see? 

• What’s the best way to reach you if I have follow-up questions? 

MediFind’s Clinical Trials tool asks you a series of questions to help you narrow down your search by health condition, age, gender, location, how far you’re willing to travel, and more. Each question you answer filters down the number of trials until you find the ones that are most relevant to you. 

MediFind’s Latest Advances tool features summaries of recent articles published in medical journals. We use cutting-edge technology to scour medical publication databases for the latest research advancements on any given condition, then we simplify this information in a way that’s useful and easy to understand. 

Look for the filter feature on the left side of the Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) doctor search results page. Select “Female” or “Male” under the “Gender” category to search for female or male providers exclusively. If the “Any” option is selected, it will pull results for both male and female providers. 

Look for the filter feature on the left-side of the Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) doctor search results page. Select “Offers telehealth visits” under the Availability category to search for providers who offer virtual appointments (video calls). 

Reviewed on: 11/11/24  

By: MediFind Medical Staff 

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