Human growth hormone (HGH) is a hormone excreted by the pituitary gland. Although it is excreted in small quantities throughout a person's life, it is excreted in larger quantities at the start of puberty until a person reaches adulthood. For the most part, a person's height depends on their level of HGH during this period. Too little HGH during the critical growth period leads to Hypopituitary dwarfism the body type commonly referred to as a midget - proportions are correct but all the limbs and torso are smaller than normal.