Page 25 - Module 1-Anatomy and Physiology of Growth Hormone Function Final (Interactive)

Module 1: Anatomy and Physiology of Growth Hormone

Lipid metabolism

GH has an impact on the amount and quality of adipose tissue in the body. In
addition, GH levels in the blood are inversely related to adipose mass, meaning that
higher GH levels are associated with decreased adipose mass and vice versa.

Adipogenesis
As reviewed in the GH, fat metabolism, and obesity subsections of this module,
patients with isolated GHD have enlarged fat depots due to higher fat cell volume,
but their fat cell numbers are lower than those of matched controls. The treatment of
patients with GHD results in a relative loss of body fat and shifts body composition
toward normal.

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