What Are Growth Disorders?
Teens may have growth problems for other reasons, though. Growth is controlled by the hormones the body produces. Many diseases of the endocrine system, which is made up of the glands that produce hormones, can affect growth. Hormones are secreted by the endocrine glands and carried throughout the body in the bloodstream. The hypothalamus (part of the brain) controls the pituitary gland, which in turn releases some of the hormones that control growth and sexual development. Estrogen and testosterone are important hormones that drive sexual development and function and also play a role in growth. Hypothyroidism can cause slow growth because the thyroid gland isn’t producing enough thyroid hormone, which is necessary to support normal growth. A major symptom of hypothyroidism is feeling tired or sluggish. A blood test measuring thyroid levels can show if someone has this disorder, which can develop at any time in life and is common in teen girls and women of childbearing age. Some diseas
