Question
My child is 8 years old and is using growth hormones, growing about 1 centimeter per month. Is this growth rate normal? Are the side effects of growth hormones significant?
Answer
According to a large number of existing clinical trials, growth hormones produced both domestically and internationally are safe and reliable medications. Common side effects include redness, swelling, and pain at the injection site, which usually subsides on its own within 3 to 5 days. Additionally, there is a risk of hypothyroidism, which typically occurs within 2 to 3 months after the start of treatment and can be restored to normal with oral thyroid hormone. To prevent this situation, doctors recommend monthly check-ups for the first year of treatment, after which the frequency can gradually be reduced to every 3 months or once a year.