---
title: "Growth Hormone Definition & Meaning | infoMD Health Glossary"
description: "Growth hormone (GH), also known as human growth hormone (HGH) or somatotropin, is a peptide hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland in the brain."
lang: en
json-ld: |
  [
    {
      "@context": "https://schema.org",
      "@type": "DefinedTerm",
      "name": "Growth Hormone",
      "description": "Growth hormone (GH), also known as human growth hormone (HGH) or somatotropin, is a peptide hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland in the brain. As its name suggests, GH is essential for normal growth and development during childhood and adolescence - it stimulates the growth of bones, cartilage, and muscles. However, GH continues to play important roles throughout adult life, influencing metabolism, body composition, bone density, muscle mass, immune function, and tissue repair.",
      "inDefinedTermSet": {
        "@type": "DefinedTermSet",
        "name": "infoMD Health Glossary",
        "url": "https://infomd.com/glossary"
      },
      "url": "https://infomd.com/glossary/growth-hormone"
    },
    {
      "@context": "https://schema.org",
      "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
      "itemListElement": [
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 1,
          "name": "Home",
          "item": "https://infomd.com"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 2,
          "name": "Glossary",
          "item": "https://infomd.com/glossary"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 3,
          "name": "Growth Hormone",
          "item": "https://infomd.com/glossary/growth-hormone"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
---

[Skip to main content](#main-content)

[![infoMD](/assets/infomd-logo-CtvTblFD.png)](/)

[Home](/)

[Conditions](/conditions)

[Glossary](/glossary)[Shop](/shop)

1.  [Home](/)
2.  [Glossary](/glossary)
3.  Growth Hormone 

[Endocrine](/glossary?system=Endocrine)

# Growth Hormone

growth hor·mone - grohth HOR-mohn

## Definition

Growth [hormone](/glossary/hormone) (GH), also known as human growth hormone (HGH) or somatotropin, is a peptide hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland in the brain. As its name suggests, GH is essential for normal growth and development during childhood and adolescence - it stimulates the growth of bones, cartilage, and muscles. However, GH continues to play important roles throughout adult life, influencing [metabolism](/glossary/metabolism), body composition, bone density, muscle mass, immune function, and tissue repair.

GH is released in pulses throughout the day, with the largest bursts occurring during deep sleep (particularly during the first few hours of the night) and during intense exercise. GH secretion is regulated by two hypothalamic hormones: growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), which stimulates release, and somatostatin, which inhibits it. Once released, GH stimulates the liver to produce [insulin](/glossary/insulin)\-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which mediates many of GH's effects on tissues throughout the body.

GH production naturally declines with age - a phenomenon sometimes called 'somatopause.' Starting around age 30, GH secretion decreases approximately 14% per decade. This decline [has](/glossary/hyaluronic-acid) fueled interest in GH supplementation as an anti-aging intervention, though synthetic GH is FDA-approved only for specific medical conditions including childhood GH deficiency, adult GH deficiency, and muscle-wasting associated with HIV/AIDS. Off-label use of GH for anti-aging or athletic performance enhancement is not recommended due to potential side effects.

## Also Known As

Human growth hormone HGH Somatotropin GH 

## Key Facts

-   • GH is released primarily during deep sleep and intense exercise - sleep deprivation significantly reduces GH production. 
-   • GH secretion declines approximately 14% per decade after age 30. 
-   • Synthetic GH is FDA-approved only for specific medical conditions, not for anti-aging or athletic performance. 
-   • Side effects of exogenous GH can include joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, insulin resistance, and increased cancer risk. 
-   • Natural ways to optimize GH production include quality sleep, high-intensity exercise, fasting, and maintaining a healthy body weight. 

## How It Relates To Your Health

GH deficiency in children causes short stature and delayed development, while adult GH deficiency can manifest as increased body fat, decreased muscle mass, reduced bone density, fatigue, and impaired quality of life. Diagnosis involves GH stimulation tests and measurement of IGF-1 levels.

For adults with documented GH deficiency, replacement therapy can improve body composition, bone density, energy levels, and quality of life. However, the use of GH in individuals with normal levels is not recommended and carries risks including [insulin resistance](/glossary/insulin-resistance), fluid retention, and potentially increased cancer risk.

## Related Terms

[Hormone](/glossary/hormone)[Testosterone](/glossary/testosterone)[Insulin](/glossary/insulin)[Metabolism](/glossary/metabolism)[Peptides](/glossary/peptides)

## Related Articles

[![Intermittent Fasting: What the Science Actually Says](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1504674900247-0877df9cc836?w=1200&h=630&fit=crop&fm=webp)](/nutrition/intermittent-fasting-science)

[](/nutrition/intermittent-fasting-science)[Nutrition & Diet](/nutrition)

### Intermittent Fasting: What the Science Actually Says

2025-09-01

[![Sleep Hygiene: 12 Evidence-Based Tips](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1541781774459-bb2af2f05b55?w=1200&h=630&fit=crop&fm=webp)](/wellness/sleep-hygiene-evidence-based-tips)

[](/wellness/sleep-hygiene-evidence-based-tips)[Wellness](/wellness)

### Sleep Hygiene: 12 Evidence-Based Tips

2025-09-15

## Sources

1.  [Growth Hormone](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482141/) - StatPearls / PubMed
2.  [Growth Hormone Deficiency](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/growth-hormone-deficiency) - Cleveland Clinic
3.  [Human Growth Hormone (HGH)](https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/growth-hormone/art-20045735) - Mayo Clinic

Was this definition helpful?

In This Entry

[Definition](#definition)[Also Known As](#also-known-as)[Key Facts](#key-facts)[How It Relates To Your Health](#health-relevance)[Related Terms](#related-terms)[Related Articles](#related-articles)[Sources](#sources)

Browse Endocrine Terms

[Insulin Resistance](/glossary/insulin-resistance)[Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone](/glossary/thyroid-stimulating-hormone)[Metabolic Syndrome](/glossary/metabolic-syndrome)[HbA1c](/glossary/hba1c)[Adrenal Fatigue](/glossary/adrenal-fatigue)[Blood Glucose](/glossary/blood-glucose)

Advertisement 

#### Explore

-   [Condition Library](/conditions)
-   [Health Glossary](/glossary)
-   [Shop](/shop)

#### Body Systems

-   [Cardiovascular](/conditions/body-system/cardiovascular)
-   [Digestive](/conditions/body-system/digestive)
-   [Neurological](/conditions/body-system/neurological)
-   [Respiratory](/conditions/body-system/respiratory)
-   [Musculoskeletal](/conditions/body-system/musculoskeletal)
-   [Endocrine](/conditions/body-system/endocrine)
-   [Immune System](/conditions/body-system/immune-system)
-   [Mental Health](/conditions/body-system/mental-health)
-   [Skin](/conditions/body-system/skin)

#### Company

-   [About infoMD](/about)
-   [Contact Us](/contact)
-   [844-357-3601](tel:+18443573601)

#### Legal

-   [Privacy Policy](/privacy-policy)
-   [Terms of Use](/terms-of-use)
-   [Disclaimer](/disclaimer)
-   [Cookie Policy](/cookie-policy)
-   [Accessibility](/accessibility)

© 2026 infoMD LLC. All rights reserved. For informational purposes only. See our [Disclaimer](/disclaimer).

[About](/about)[Contact](/contact)[Privacy Policy](/privacy-policy)[Terms of Use](/terms-of-use)