Laron syndrome is a rare genetic disease where the body has sufficient growth hormones but lacks receptors to utilize the hormone and hence dwarfism results. Type 1 involves a defect in the growth hormone receptor gene which prevents the hormone from binding and being used. Hence there are high levels of free growth hormone in the plasma. Type II involves a problem with the processing of the growth hormone once it has been bound properly to the cell surface. See also Laron syndrome type 2