Human Growth Hormone Safety

Currently, human growth hormone (hGH) is available in two ways: injections from a doctor or in dietary supplements. While using the injectable form of hGH has been shown to have benefits in people with growth disorders, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has shown that hGH also has significant risks.

hGH injections are thought by some to reduce aging.

Human Growth Hormone

Human growth hormone promotes cell growth and reproduction, as well as regeneration in humans and animals. It is an amino acid, single-chain polypeptide hormone that is stored and secreted by the pituitary gland. The hGH used in medical treatments is a synthetic version of the hormone.

Medical Uses

Human growth hormone has been approved by the Food & Drug Administration to treat growth disorders in children and adults with growth hormone deficiency. It has also been shown to be effective in slowing the wasting of muscle mass in people with AIDS. However, some doctors promote hGH injections to patients as an anti-aging remedy and/or for weight loss. This use of hGH is strictly forbidden by the FDA and is an offense punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. This also applies to doctors using hGH to help athletes improve performance.

Over-the-Counter

Over-the-counter hGH supplements, which are primarily targeted at athletes and body builders, are poorly regulated, and it is difficult to know the quality and actual contents of the product. Additionally, the amount of hGH available in these supplements is negligible and has not been shown to have any effect at all on the body's ability to build muscle. Moreover, taking hGH orally would have no effect because hGH would be digested by the body.

Risks

There is evidence of risks related to hGH treatment. Some evidence shows an increase in the risk of diabetes, joint swelling, joint pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. Several studies have linked high levels of growth hormone to prostate tumors, an increased risk for cancer, cardiovascular disease and behavior changes. Additionally, hGH may cause an enlargement of the heart and bones, since the hormones promote overall growth. Some over-the-counter hGH supplements also contain stimulants which can cause an elevated or irregular heartbeat.

Studies

A study published in 1990 in the New England Journal of Medicine began the trend of human growth hormone being used as an anti-aging and weight loss aid. This study only involved 21 men, but those who received injections showed a loss of fat and an increase in muscle mass. However, subsequent studies have not been able to replicate those results and the long-term effect of hGH injections has not been adequately studied.

References

• Questioning the safety of synthetic human growth hormone
• HGH Q&A
• Human Growth Hormone: Unproven and Unsafe

Resources

• New York Times "Anti-Aging Potion or Poison?"
• Growth Hormone Scams