This website uses cookies. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Find out more by reading our privacy policy. Read more
Growth hormone treatment and you
If your child has just been diagnosed with a growth hormone disorder or is starting a new treatment, you undoubtedly have many unanswered questions. This website aims to help you navigate the world of growth hormone therapy. It includes:
- An introduction to the newest device in the Novo Nordisk portfolio: FlexPro®
- Health care professionals' view of FlexPro®
- Frequently asked questions about growth hormone treatment and FlexPro®
- Questions that may help spark a conversation with your doctor regarding growth hormone disorders
Click here for an introduction to FlexPro®
Making sure your child takes his/her growth hormone every day is one of the key ways of ensuring a successful outcome of the treatment. Research suggests that 3 factors can help encourage people to take their growth hormone injections regularly:
- A simple injection device
- An easy-to-learn injection technique Health care professionals' view of FlexPro®
- Minimising injection pain and anxiety
FlexPro® has been designed to be simple to learn and use, making daily injection even easier.
Want a simple-to-learn device?
FlexPro® - put simplicity in their hands
Easy-to-push dose button
93% of patients found the dose button very easy to push
Audible 'click' confirms the dose has been injected
97% of patients felt confident their dose had been injected properly
Easy to hold for different types of hands
99% of patients found it easy to inject to their usual dose
No refrigeration after use*, no mixing, no loading
100% of patients found it easy to learn how to use FlexPro®
Automatic needle insertion accessory with hidden needle: FlexPro® PenMate®
Personalise FlexPro® with cool skins and charms
Would your child prefer to inject him/herself?
FlexPro® - easy-to-push dose button
93% of patients found the dose button very easy to push
The thin, simple button has been specially designed for children's smaller thumbs
Injection pen
FlexPro®
Are you sure your child will get the full dose?
FlexPro® - audible 'click' confirms the dose has been injected
97% of patients felt confident their dose had been injected properly
Easy-to-read dose window
Administer up to 2, 4 or 8 mg per dose
Fine dose increments of 0.025, 0.05, 0.1 mg/click
Is your child comfortable holding the pen?
FlexPro® - easy-to-hold for different types of hands
99% of patients found it easy to inject to their usual dose
11 mm shorter than a regular pen
Does it bother your child to see the needle?
FlexPro® - put PenMate® in their hands
The only pen with an automatic needle insertion accessory
- FlexPro® PenMate® simplifies the injection process
- FlexPro® PenMate® reduces pain perception
Fully customizable
The needle hider - conceals the needle from sight during the injection process
The automatic needle inserter - inserts the needle quickly and accurately with a single touch
Want a pen that can be personalised?
FlexPro® - express their style
Now they can add stick-on designs and charms to reflect their personal style!
Talking with your child's doctor
The questions below can be used to ask your doctor if growth hormone treatment is the right thing for your child.
How do I know if my child has a growth hormone-related disorder?
From the age of 2 through puberty, a child should grow approximately 5 cm and gain roughly 2–3 kg every year. If your child does not meet these average milestones, he/she is not necessarily growth hormone deficient, but it is advisable to consult a doctor.
How are growth hormone-related disorders treated?
Diagnosis of a specific condition will determine how a doctor approaches treatment. Many growth hormone disorders can be treated effectively. Human growth hormone (hGH) is a biosynthetic hormone replacement therapy.
How will a growth hormone-related disorder affect my child's body if not treated?
Depending on the diagnosis, there are different outcomes. Individuals who miss treatment risk having a short height when they reach adulthood. Apart from this, children with GHD who are not treated with growth hormone may experience decreased vitality and lower ability to exercise, poor memory, an increased amount of body fat, and weakened bone structure, among other possible effects.
When should my child start treatment?
The earlier the diagnosis, the earlier treatment can be started, and hence the better the prospects of eventually reaching normal adult height. Children who are shorter than normal are often seen by a paediatric endocrinologist (a doctor specialising in the treatment of children with growth problems).
What are the treatment options?
Your child's doctor may decide what product to use to treat your child's growth disorder. However, if the device is large for your child's hands, if your child has problems handling the device, or if your child would like to continue treatment while traveling without interruption, ask your doctor which treatment is right for your child.
Which delivery device is right for my child?
Improvements in device design have made a big difference for people who need regular growth hormone injections – by simplifying the daily administration routine. To help your doctor match the choice of injection device to your child's needs, it is worth considering the kind of features you would look for in an injection device. For example, how easy is it to administer the injection? Would your child prefer a device that can hide the needle so that it is less worrying? Will the device have to be kept in a fridge all the time, or can it be stored at room temperature instead? How easy is the device to hold, and is it lightweight enough for a child to use easily? How easy to learn is the injection technique, and how many steps does it involve?
Frequently asked questions
Growth hormone treatment
Why does growth hormone have to be injected?
Because growth hormone is a protein, it would be digested in the same manner as a protein in food if administered in an oral tablet formulation. This would result in the breakdown of growth hormone, which would render it inactive. In order for growth hormone to reach the bloodstream intact and active, it must be injected just under the skin.
How should growth hormone be injected?
Growth hormone should be injected just under the skin (in the thigh, stomach, or buttocks) every evening just before bedtime. Injection sites should be alternated, so your child's skin is not harmed. Follow the injection procedure in the Instructions for Use booklet contained in the pen box.
When should growth hormone be injected?
Growth hormone should be injected in the evening before bedtime. The reason for this is to try to mimic the way growth hormone is produced in the body. Growth hormone is produced in different amounts at different times of the day and night, but usually the largest amount is produced at night while asleep.
Does the injection hurt?
Your child may feel the injection, but the needles are very small and fine, and the growth hormone only has to be injected just under the skin. The injections are different from those your child may have had in the past for preventing illnesses, which use thicker needles. Injections of growth hormone use very small and fine needles and therefore hurt less.
Introducing FlexPro®
Which delivery device should we choose?
Novo Nordisk continually improves devices to make injections simple for patients who need daily growth hormone administration. To help your doctor match the choice of injection device to your child's needs, it is worth considering the kind of features you would look for in an injection device.
FlexPro® PenMate®
What is the function of FlexPro® PenMate®
Some patients may feel discomfort with needles. FlexPro® PenMate® is an automatic needle insertion accessory. The accessory slides onto the device and clicks into position. At the touch of a button, it automatically inserts the needle, hiding the needle from view throughout the injection process. FlexPro® PenMate® simplifies the injection process and reduces pain perception.
How can my child personalise the FlexPro® pen?
Your child can personalise the FlexPro® pen with different stickers and charms. Contact your doctor if your child is interested in personalising FlexPro®.
