Growth Hormone Deficiency
Signs and Symptoms

Growth hormone deficiency is most often diagnosed in children, rather than adults. Children with the condition have a slow rate of growth, usually less than 2 inches a year. In older children, the condition can result in delayed puberty or the absence of puberty.

In adults, symptoms include:

• Decreased energy
• Increase in fat and decrease in lean muscle mass
• Difficulty exercising
• Osteoporosis
• Sleep disturbance
• Skin changes (fine lines, dryness, thinning)
• Psychological symptoms, such as depression and feelings of social isolation, poor short-term memory and difficulty concentrating