Is HGH Bad for You?

Human Growth Hormone Basics

Human growth hormone is secreted in the body by the pituitary gland. It is a very large protein and it reaches its peak in adolescence. The body continues to make HGH but in declining amounts. At around age 70, the body is making about 25 percent of what it did in its youth. HGH is responsible for the growth of the body and is very important to overall health. The HGH the body makes is not bad for you, it is necessary. Is stimulating the pituitary to produce more or adding a synthetic HGH to the blood stream harmful? It can be.

Over The Counter HGH

The fact is most over the counter HGH products are not going to work. First, HGH needs to be injected and sent directly into the blood stream to work properly. Second, injectable HGH, known as GH, is a drug approved by the FDA and requires a doctors prescription. Over the counter medications are oral and limited in the quantity of hormone they can contain. Any amount of GH in them doesn't stand a chance of making it to the blood because of the minute amount and the fact that stomach acid will destroy it before it can metabolize. Increase HGH by taking more than the suggested over the counter dosage and you further waste money and possibly to harm to your body.

Synthetic HGH

The injectable GH that requires a prescription is not the same GH the body makes, it is synthetic. It does increase GH in the body but it needs to be taken consistently to make a difference and that is a very expensive proposition. A months supply of synthetic GH can cost a thousand dollars or more plus the doctor's visits and lab tests. It is necessary to monitor someone taking this supplement. The long term effects are not known and the patient must be aware of this. This is the bad side of HGH.

HGH Side Effects

Human growth hormone side effects are many. Consider that the body naturally begins to suppress HGH and one has to wonder why it does so. If there are side effects there must be very good reasons the body does does not continue to make high levels of HGH. Side effects have included joint pain, fluid retention, irreversible insulin resistance, arrhythmias, odd bone growth and deformities, the shutdown of the pituitary, and diabetes. The more harmful effects are seen in people who abuse the hormone.

The HGH Cycle

Playing with hormone supplements can be dangerous and HGH is no exception. Hormones do not act alone but instead interact with a host of other players within the body. The aspect of the hormone that works well for body building and building lean muscle mass may be causing long term effects that are unknown at this time.