Growth hormone or HGH is naturally produced in the pituitary gland and is important for growth, cell regeneration, and cell reproduction.
Human growth hormone (HGH) is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the pituitary gland. It’s important for growth, cell regeneration, and cell reproduction.
HGH helps to maintain, build, and repair healthy tissue in the brain and other organs. This hormone can help to speed up healing after an injury and repair muscle tissue after exercise. This helps to build muscle mass, boost metabolism, and burn fat.
HGH is also said to benefit the quality and appearance of the skin. It’s said to slow down the aging process and treat age-related diseases. However, research supporting these claims is limited.
HGH works by stimulating metabolic processes in cells to activate metabolism. It stimulates the liver to make an insulin-like protein that produces cartilage cells. This plays a part in bone and organ growth, as well as muscle protein synthesis.
Although HGH is a naturally occurring substance, it’s also available in synthetic forms as a treatment or supplement. But what are the risks of taking it?
Uses and Benefits
Synthetic HGH is used to treat poor growth in children and adults. It can also be used to treat adults with short bowel syndrome or muscle loss due to HIV or AIDS.
Lack of growth may be the result of medical causes such as:
- chronic kidney disease;
- children born with low birth weight;
- Prader-Willi syndrome;
- HGH deficiency or insufficiency;
- Turner syndrome;
- HGH deficiency secondary to pituitary tumors or related treatment;
- muscle-wasting disease.
Injections of hGH can help people with a growth hormone deficiency to:
- increase exercise capacity;
- improve bone density;
- build muscle mass;
- reduce body fat.
Because of these benefits, many people use HGH to enhance their athletic ability. It’s sometimes used in combination with anabolic steroids to increase muscle mass and enhance athletic performance.
Some people believe HGH has anti-aging effects since natural levels of HGH decrease with age. It’s also said to naturally increase testosterone. However, it should be noted that not all of these benefits have been scientifically proven. The use of hGH for athletic and anti-aging purposes is controversial due to this lack of scientific evidence and its potential side effects.
Popular Forms
HGH is injected intramuscularly (IM) and subcutaneously (under the skin) if it’s been prescribed. Sometimes, illicit manufacturers offer HGH in an injectable form as well.
Injectable HGH
Five brands are the world’s leading manufacturers of HGH. We have listed them with their manufacturers and ranked them by their respective growth hormone market share:
- Norditropin by Novo Nordisk
- Genotropin by Pfizer
- Humatrope by Eli Lilly
- Saizen by Merck Serono
- Omnitrope by Sandoz
There is no significant difference in quality, safety, and effectiveness among the brands of HGH listed above because the molecular structure of the medication in all of them is the same.
All best injectable HGH products contain synthetic somatotropin, produced via recombinant DNA technology.
Because of this, the product is also called recombinant somatotropin in the medical community. The final product has the same protein structure made up of 191-amino acids just like the natural GH that should be synthesized in your body.
The main difference between the various growth hormone injections is 120 in their popularity, ease of use, price, dosage form, storage, etc.
The most popular and prescribed brand worldwide is Norditropin, which also has the largest global market share – over 37,57% in 2017.
It is manufactured by Novo Nordisk which is a global leader in diabetic and human growth hormone medications. Their product – Norditropin FlexPro Pen, does not require reconstitution and provides significant comfort for the patients. That makes it so popular among patients.
What to Expect From HGH Injections?
The first effects of HGH therapy usually occur 2-4 weeks after a regular daily administration. Patients with growth hormone deficiency will first notice an improvement in their body composition, such as a reduction in the body fat around the abdomen.
According to a study with 56 GH deficient patients, body fat was significantly reduced by the 4th week of HGH therapy and they lost as much as 4.5% of their total body fat for this period. Continuing the administration yielded additional fat loss, but at a slower pace.
Furthermore, the study shows that lean body mass, total body water, and markers for bone formation significantly increase from the 4th week until the end of the study.
Another study revealed that 6 months of HGH injections significantly increased oxygen capacity and exercise performance. The overall quality of life is also significantly improved after 6 months of GH therapy according to a trial with 24 GH deficient adults.
Side effects also can be expected, but they are quite rare when you take a recommended dosage of HGH under the supervision of a doctor.
Negative reactions to HGH can include headache, joint or muscle pain, and swelling in the arms and legs. However, they are only short-term and disappear after the first few days.
Long-term (4 years on average) safety and efficacy of various HGH products such as Norditropin have been proven in studies with both children and adults
Genotropin and Omnitropin safety has also been tested and compared in various studies, some of which have lasted up to 7 years. When used within the recommended dosage and under the supervision of a medical specialist, growth hormone injections are well tolerated and completely safe.
Dietary Supplements
HGH and substances that promote HGH production are sold online by some companies as dietary supplements, which claim to have the same benefits as the injections. These supplements are sometimes known as human growth hormone releasers. Some of them are said to increase HGH levels in your body because of ingredients such as amino acids.
However, there’s no evidence that these supplements have the same results as prescribed HGH. Homeopathic remedies containing human growth hormone also exist. Evidence supporting their benefits is lacking.
Dietary supplements are said to be able to naturally raise HGH levels because of the amino acids it contains. This is said to have an anti-aging effect. A supplement also claims to build stronger bones, increase lean muscle mass, and reduce body fat. These claims need more study. Supplements contain no HGH.
What are the side effects?
There are several side effects that may go along with HGH use. These side effects are possible with the prescribed version, as well as an illicit form of HGH since the content isn’t completely known and regulated. Side effects may affect older adults more than younger people. The long-term effects of HGH aren’t known.
Possible side effects of excess HGH injections include:
- carpal tunnel syndrome;
- nerve, muscle, or joint pain;
- swelling of the arms and legs from fluid retention (edema);
- high cholesterol levels;
- numb and tingling skin;
- an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes;
- growth of cancerous tumors;
- growth of facial features, hands, and feet (acromegaly);
- mood changes, dependency, and withdrawal;
- an enlarged heart;
- low blood sugar;
- liver damage;
- fatigue;
- enlarged breasts in men (gynecomastia).
Possible side effects of anti-aging supplements differ from those of HGH since a supplement is an amino acid blend that doesn’t contain HGH. Side effects of the amino acids in a supplement may include:
- stomach pain;
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- constipation;
- bloating;
- increased asthma symptoms;
- gout;
- low blood pressure;
- allergic reaction;
- heartburn.
The Takeaway
HGH should be used with care and consideration. Only use the HGH that you get via a doctor’s prescription. Check in regularly with a doctor while you’re taking it.
Take special care to note how your body reacts and if you experience any adverse reactions. If you wish to strengthen your body or improve your health but don’t have a condition known to cause growth hormone deficiency, you may consider finding other ways to do this. Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and engage in healthy habits to improve your overall health and well-being.
Be sure to get in touch with a team of our experts if you need any additional consultation.