GLOSSARY

Below are just a few of the words you may read or hear in relation to growth hormone deficiency. You should keep a list of other words or terms that you may want to ask your doctor or nurse.

Endocrine Glands:
Glands that produce hormones that are carried by the bloodstream to stimulate other parts of the body to perform certain functions.

Endocrinologist:
A doctor who specializes in conditions of the endocrine glands and their functions.

Growth:
Change in size of cells, tissues, organs, or whole organisms.

Growth Hormone:
One of the key hormones responsible for growth in childhood. It also has an important role in maintaining normal health in adults. It is produced by the pituitary gland. Figure 1 below shows the relative location of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland at the base of the brain.

Hormones:
Chemical messengers produced by cells in the endocrine glands.

Hypothalamus:
An important part of the brain that links the nervous system with the endocrine system. The hypothalamus sends messages to the pituitary gland, which is connected to it by a fine "stalk." These messages control how the pituitary gland works (see Figure 1 below).

Insulin-like Growth Factor I (IGF-I):
An "intermediate" hormone in growth. IGF-I transmits messages from the sender (growth hormone) to the receiver (the tissues). When the body's tissues receive the IGF-I message, the cells grow. Since IGF-I is produced by the tissues when instructed by growth hormone, the amount of IGF-I in the blood can act as a clue to the amount of GH the body is making.

Pediatric Endocrinologist:
A doctor who specializes in the development, care, and treatment of children with endocrine disorders. Many pediatric endocrinologists are growth specialists.

Adult Endocrinologist:
A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of adults with endocrine disorders. These physicians see adult patients with pituitary disorders in addition to several other hormonal conditions.

Pituitary Gland:
A pea-sized gland at the base of the brain, often called the "master gland."