HGH Explained

Growth hormone (GH) is a peptide hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland secretes GH in bursts. Under normal conditions, more GH is produced at night than during the day. GH levels will also increase after exercise, sleep, and trauma.¹ Since GH levels alternate throughout the day, sporadic blood test to measure the levels wouldn’t tell you much.

HGH was initially developed and used to treat boys (children) who had growth-related issues due to growth hormone deficiencies. As the research on HGH continued, scientists deduced that these hormones can be used to help for an array of medical diseases, such as muscle wasting disease and HIV/AIDS. Modern science has also shown that HGH therapy can be used as an anti-aging solution.

As we age, our muscle mass starts to decline. After age 30, we can expect a 3-5 percent muscle loss per decade. Age-related muscle loss is correlated with decline of growth hormone (GH) secretion². GH is a dynamic hormone, which means that varies in concentration and action, due to influence from numerous factors. Characteristics such as age, physical fitness, nutrition and body composition are known to play a major role in the level and action of GH and vice versa.³

Constant high blood sugar and high levels of insulin can significantly impair GH release, and on other end, high intensity work out in fasted state can spike GH release.  

GH is involved in several complex physiological processes in the body, such as metabolism and growth. GH is shown to boosts protein production, and improves development of muscles and bones. Daily injections of GH for 20 days can increase the lean body mass by an average 4.6 pounds.¹ Additionally, GH improves fat metabolism, but it also interferes with the insulin function. GH is known to raise blood sugar levels and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1).¹ People with higher than normal IGF-1 levels have greater risk of breast, prostate, pancreatic and colon cancer.⁴

Major benefits of GH include:⁵

• Increased muscle mass
• Improved energy
• Reduction in body fat
• Tighter skin
• Reduced risk of heart disease
• Better psychosocial functioning
• Improved body composition

The most common side effects of GH injections include:¹

• Fluid retention
• Joint and muscle pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Higher blood sugar levels

Most side effects are temporary and go away once body adapts to new levels. Increased blood sugar levels can occur due to conversion from HGH to IGF-1, but following balanced diet should avoid that.

Please note that side effects are individual and tightly correlated with the dosage, most people staying in recommended dosage experience little or no side effects. People that are taking high doses beyond those recommended by licensed physician, along the side effects, have increased risk of mortality from all causes compared to general population.³ Taking high doses of GH over a long period of time can lead to heart disease.⁶

REFERENCES

1. GH, Atletic Performance and Aging. Harvard Medcal School Web site. https://www.health. harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/growth-hormone-athletic-performance-and-aging. Accessed July 20, 2019.
2. Nass R et al. Effects of an oral ghrelin mimetic on body composition and clinical outcomes in healthy older adults: A randomized trial. – PubMed – NCBI. https://www-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.une.idm.oclc.org/pubmed?term=(MK-677)%20AND%20weight%20loss. Accessed Jul 13, 2019.
3. Divall SA, Radovick S. Growth Hormone and Treatment Controversy; Long Term Safety of rGH. Curr Pediatr Rep. 2013;1(2):128–132. doi:10.1007/s40124-013-0009-5.
4. Acerini CL, Segal D, Criseno S, et al. Shared Decision-Making in Growth Hormone Therapy-Implications for Patient Care. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2018;9:688. Published 2018 Nov 22. doi:10.3389/fendo.2018.00688.
5. Linn Goldberg, Alan D. Rogol, Peter H. Sonksen, Growth Hormone: Use and Abuse, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 94, Issue 6, 1 June 2009, Page E2, https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.94.6.9992.
6. Gunawardane K, Krarup Hansen T, Sandahl Christiansen J, Lunde Jorgensen JO. Normal physiology of growth hormone in adults. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Boyce A, et al, eds. Endotext. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279056/. Accessed Jul 21, 2019.