What causes pituitary disease with adult-onset GH deficiency?
In adults, GH deficiency may often result when the pituitary gland becomes diseased or damaged. Particular tumors of the pituitary gland (pituitary adenomas), physical injury to the brain (hemorrhage, trauma, surgery), or radiation therapy can all injure the pituitary gland severely enough to cause GH deficiency. In the United States, approximately 50,000 adults have GH deficiency and 6000 new cases of AGHD are diagnosed each year. Children who receive GH therapy may need to continue with the therapy into adulthood if AGHD is confirmed.
