What is Human Growth Hormone?

 

Human growth hormone or HGH is vital for the body to grow after birth. The hormone is also necessary to process protein, metabolize fat and provide cellular energy. The pituitary gland continues producing the hormone during adulthood. In children and adults, hormone replacement is sometimes needed when deficits are detected. Men desiring to increase muscle may opt for hormone supplementation in hopes of building muscle.

Hormone Fluctuations are Common

It is not uncommon for HGH levels to fluctuate throughout the day. Exercise and other physical activities commonly cause a natural elevation of the hormone. Low blood sugar, sleep and stress also increase human growth hormone. On the other hand, an insufficient amount of HGH impedes growth and may cause dwarfism.

Adult Hormone Deficiency

If the pituitary becomes damaged during adulthood, hormone deficiencies occur. Damage may come in the form of a tumor, surgical tumor removal or radiation therapy. Symptoms and hazards of insufficient growth hormone include:

• Anxiety or depression

• Weight gain

• Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases

• Weakened muscles

• Brittle bones

• Generalized fatigue

• Cognitive impairment

• High cholesterol

HGH Injections

When blood tests indicate a growth hormone insufficiency, young and mature patients commonly get injections of lab-developed growth hormone. The manufactured replacement is designed to mimic the hormone naturally produced in the body.

The length of treatment and hormone dosage is based on a patient’s age, health and medical history, the severity of the insufficiency and treatment tolerance. Some patients may also decide to not undergo treatment. Throughout therapy, blood tests are periodically taken to determine whether dosages should be decreased, increased or stopped. Along with tests checking blood hormone levels, the tests also evaluate blood sugar levels, cholesterol and bone density. Adults requiring hormone replacement treatment must commonly continue the therapy for the rest of their lives.

Athletes and bodybuilders occasionally get the treatment to build larger muscles, increase energy and endurance. Growth hormone has also been touted as being a viable treatment for losing weight or to combat the aging process. However, the Endocrine Society advises against getting growth hormone supplementation unless there is an actual deficiency.

Human growth hormone induces muscle growth and promotes fat breakdown. It should come as no surprise then that HGH therapy and injections on otherwise healthy adults has produced favorable changes to body composition. These favorable changes include increased muscle mass and decreased fat mass. Studies show that such therapy increased lean body mass by an average of approximately five lbs. over a 26-week evaluation period. At the same time, fat mass decreased by an average of approximately five lbs. over the same evaluation period. For men seeking HGH therapy or HGH injections, your physician will determine which hormone therapy is right for you. Sermorelin is an extremely common form of this therapy.

Danger of Excess Growth Hormone

According to the Mayo Clinic, when healthy adults receive the hormone unnecessarily, they may experience the following side effects:

• Development of carpal tunnel syndrome

• Enlarged breasts

• Headaches

• Joint and muscle aches

• Unusual swelling in the extremities

When men or women athletes receive growth hormone over extended lengths of time, they can develop a condition known as acromegaly. As the skeleton can no longer grow in height, the bones in the face, hands and feet become thicker. The skin may also thicken and feel coarse along with growing excessive amounts of hair. Other adverse effects of acromegaly include the possibility of developing cardiovascular diseases.

Contraindications

Under certain circumstances, patients should not undergo hormone injection treatment. The circumstances include the presence of:

• Cancer

• Having multiple injuries

• Respiratory problems

• Severe illness

• Some diabetic conditions

For more information on HGH and hormone therapy, please contact your physician. As an alternative to visiting your physician, concierge hormone therapy services are becoming more and more popular. Services like Ehormones.com are redefining the industry with their convenient access to local hormone therapy physicians, ease of use, and results!