Growth Hormone (GH) is the pituitary hormone that stimulates body growth and development during childhood. Virtually every tissue in the body contains receptors for GH. Coupled with the finding that GH deficiency in adults is associated with higher mortality, suggested that GH may have equally important actions during adulthood.

Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder that results when the pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone (GH). It most commonly affects middle-aged adults and can result in serious illness and premature death. Once recognized, acromegaly is treatable in most patients, but because of its slow and often insidious onset, it frequently is not diagnosed correctly.