HGH – human growth hormone
Human growth hormone (HGH) is a vital protein hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, essential for normal growth and development. Its secretion peaks during late adolescence and begins to decline in the second decade of life. For over 40 years, HGH has been utilized to treat specific medical disorders. However, in the last three decades, its popularity surged, leading many—especially middle-aged individuals and athletes—to believe it can reverse aging or enhance physical performance. It ranks among the top three most abused drugs by sports athletes.
What is Human Growth Hormone?
HGH, also abbreviated as hGH or GH, activates cellular production, growth, and metabolic functions within the body. Produced by the anterior pituitary gland, it collaborates with other hormones to facilitate proper growth and development. GH typically peaks at puberty and gradually declines around age 40.
Growth hormone is widely accessible at health food stores, spas, and through various practitioners, often marketed under names such as Genotropin, Humatrope, Norditropin, Nutropin, Saizen, and Serostim.
Pharmacology
The majority of available GH is produced using recombinant DNA technology. The two prevalent synthetic forms, somatropin and somatrem, exhibit similar pharmacological properties. Once injected, synthetic GH mimics natural production, binding to GH receptors to stimulate various cellular activities, impacting metabolism and enhancing muscle and skeletal mass. GH levels increase during stress, sleep, and physical activity.
Conditions Affecting GH Levels
Medical conditions may arise from both low and high GH levels. Excessive human growth hormone can result in acromegaly, which leads to enlarged extremities and cell overproduction, or pituitary gigantism, characterized by extreme height due to GH overproduction.
Conversely, GH deficiency can cause serious issues, including various forms of short stature that impact health significantly.
Approved Uses of GH
The FDA sanctions several injectable formulations of HGH, available only through prescription. Initially approved in 1985 for treating growth hormone deficiency (GHD) leading to short stature, subsequent approvals followed for conditions like Prader-Willi syndrome, chronic renal insufficiency, Turner syndrome, idiopathic short stature, and intrauterine growth retardation. GH therapy is also approved for adults with AIDS wasting syndrome.
Evidence suggests GH injections lead to:
- Increased muscle mass and bone density
- Decreased body fat
- Improved cognitive function
- Enhanced athletic performance
- Improved cardiovascular endurance
Dosage
HGH is administered exclusively via injection (subcutaneous or intramuscular); oral intake is ineffective. Absorption occurs rapidly after administration. Current dosing guidelines remain unclear, often based on body weight, typically around 0.01-0.1 mg/kg. Available forms include powder or liquid, with powder requiring solubilization in saline prior to injection.
Side Effects of Growth Hormone
Common side effects include:
- Generalized edema
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Joint and muscle pain
- Neuropathies (e.g., tingling and numbness)
- Elevated blood glucose levels
Prescription Requirement for GH
GH can only be prescribed for FDA-approved conditions. Many pursue off-label uses, such as athletic enhancement or anti-aging, despite the FDA deeming such applications risky. Patients must weigh potential side effects against the proposed benefits of therapy carefully.
Potential Risks of Taking GH
Risks include overdose, potentially leading to serious conditions like acromegaly. GH may also inadvertently stimulate the growth of unwanted cells, increasing the risk of cancers such as leukemia and prostate cancer. Less severe side effects include fluid retention, joint pain, and type 2 diabetes. Prospective users must consider the potential harm of GH therapy thoroughly.
Off-Label Use
Bodybuilding
Common off-label uses include anti-aging and bodybuilding, with GH being one of the most abused substances in sports. While highly sought after, GH is illegal to possess or distribute. Bodybuilders often employ multiple drugs with HGH, complicating the determination of effective substances. Additionally, athletes frequently abuse GH due to its often undetectable nature.
The actual number of GH users is unclear, though occasional admissions from athletes surface. For bodybuilders, GH can be costly, ranging from $500 to $2000 monthly, with instances of counterfeit products.
Anti-Aging
Another prevalent off-label use involves the quest for youthfulness, as many seek to diminish wrinkles via GH. Despite claims, it is not FDA-approved for this purpose and lacks evidence supporting its efficacy in reversing skin aging.
The hype surrounding HGH has spawned ineffective “copy-cat” remedies, generating a $70 million industry. Individuals spending between $10,000 and $20,000 yearly for real GH injections typically seek services at anti-aging clinics or medical spas.
Availability
Oftentimes, individuals acquire HGH illegally, through theft from pharmacies or by unscrupulous physicians prescribing off-label. Some smuggle it from Mexico or Europe, while online pharmacies frequently sell GH without proper patient evaluations, leading to transactions on the black market.
The only legitimate method of administering GH is injection; however, many falsely market it as sprays or topical gels, which offer minimal absorption when inhaled or administered sublingually.
Testing Limitations
Detecting synthetic GH in the body poses significant challenges, as current methods only identify it within 48 hours post-injection, a detail well-known by athletes.
Sermorelin
Sermorelin, a newer drug similar to Geref, is an active analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) produced by the hypothalamus and stimulates growth hormone release from the pituitary. Its detection in blood or urine diminishes after a certain period. While it offers a gradual strength boost without major side effects, it’s not a suitable substitute for GH in the absence of natural production. Sermorelin typically costs between $300 and $1000 monthly.
Control Status
Due to extensive HGH abuse, federal regulations now restrict its sale and distribution. The 1990 Anabolic Steroids Control Act criminalizes possession and distribution, with severe penalties including fines and imprisonment. A bill proposed in March 2007 sought to classify HGH under Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. GH remains a banned substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Olympic Committee due to its classification as a performance-enhancing drug.
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