What is Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD)?

A simple animated video about Growth Hormone Deficiency: what it is, how it is caused, what the symptoms are and how it is managed. We hope this video will be helpful to you and those you care about.

Chapters
0:00 What is GH deficiency
1:10 Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
2:28 Living with GH deficiency

This video was sponsored by the Child Growth Foundation

ABOUT US: HealthSketch is a project to convey health information in visually engaging ways, empowering us all to lead healthier lives. For more information, visit:
Script: Dr Lucie Collinson, Dr Wikum Jayatunga

NOTE: All content, including graphics, audio, text, and links, is for information and education purposes only. This video should not be considered a substitute for professional medical care, so if you have further questions or concerns, please consult a medical professional.

Further information and references:

[piersonmellwig]

I have growth hormone deficiency and was diagnosed as a toddler. I think my projected height was 4 foot 9. I’m now 16 and am already 5 foot 11. The medication really does work if you actually have GHD

[indertek]

if only my parents did this to me, i'm 22 and i look so young that it's sad

[bloducus]

I’m a 16 year old male and about 5’5 1/2, I started taking this when I was 11 and I was told I would end up being about 5 feet or less, it has really been helpful to me and I’m still maintaining an average growth of about 7 cm per year. My goal is to reach 5’7 and I’ll finally stop caring about height forever, but if end up not reaching this I’m still incredibly grateful that I was able to reach this point

[joshmckinley]

I was diagnosed with GHD when i was probably about 12, I was under 5ft until i was 16 or so, Got the Injections and slowly but surely started growing, i was estimated at 5' 7" max after the treatment (mum and dad were both 5' 2", I am 5' 6" ( 19yr male) but quit the injections after i turned 18 as i was getting sick of the needles every day, Anybody that hated the thought of a need going in to you, like me (nevermind everyday) i ask you to rethink it as it will help, injections arent fun but being short and looking half your age is deffo worse

[Jr-bnkc]

I don’t have a growth hormone problem I just wanna be tall

[kruztykrabb]

I’m in 9th grade and have been taking growth hormone for 2 years know and it works. I went from 4’6 in 7th to 5’2 in 9th and still growing. And it also makes it easier to gain muscle after working out too.

[foodie]

I hit like a growth spurt on 6th grade from 4'8 to 5'1 now I'm 9th grade and 5'3 Im kinda worried tho

[John-ifbc]

I am 19. My dad is 5'10 and my mom is 5'4. My expected height is 5'9.5 but I ended up at 5'6 and stopped growing at the age of 13.

[afloatcashew]

When I was in grade 8 I was only 4 foot 1. Started taking medication for it and now I'm 4 foot 7 only start of grade ten, incredible stuff

[zacharydelapaz]

I'm 5.3 i look young even though i am 21 yrs old and happy cause i'll pick youth than aged

[heartsmariya]

I am 15 (in 2024) and i started my GHD treatment (injections) in February 2018. When I was 8yrs 3 months my height was 116cm (3ft 9in). Now that i’m 15 the last time I went to the doctors I was 146.3cm (4ft 9in) so i grew 1 feet in 7 years😂😂 Before they diagnosed me with ghd i took an mri scan and blood tests and x-rays. i’ve been doing treatment for 7 years and hoping to finish it once i’m 16. if u have any questions pls feel free to ask! <3

(march 1st 2025, 22:55pm) edit: came back to this video to update. im now 16, the last time i went to the doctors/hospital i was around 4’11 and a half if i remember correctly (this was over 6 months ago now). My friends are saying ive deffo grown in the last few months. A few of them say im around 5 foot now or 5’1”! also, I am still doing nightly injections! ❤ i will update when my nxt app is if i remember !!

[willbrench]

I'm getting scared. I hit my growth spurt in 7th grade from 4'7 to 5'0. Now I'm 5'4.5 and am in 9th grade.

[emiliakainatsky]

Starting growth hormone shots tomorrow!

[ItzGameStar]

Iam 15 years old and I will be 16 in December and my hieght is 5.2 feet. I want to be atleast 5.9 to 5.11 . Does this Human growth hormone injection work for me?

[dhanmoninath]

I'm 18 years old and 5 feet tall...😢

[extraclass]

I hit 5.10 and I become 15 yr old in march 2021(178) be happy

[ohnesorgen]

I've got short family so I can't even claim I have this, no fair

[mewmaxM]

I don't know if I had it I am short but but I have friends that when I see his hand it is like he's a child I thought my hand was small

[tinyespi]

I am 5, 3 and a half and weigh 67kg..and I’m nearly 17…guys be honest am I cooked 🤩

[leehaire]

I'm kinda scared of getting because I dont want to lose eye sight and I get it in 14 days