What Are The Side Effects Of Hgh
The most commonly reported side effects of HGH therapy include water retention, edemas, headache, joint stiffness, carpal tunnel syndrome, and insulin resistance.
All of these negative effects are either transitory or can be avoided by lowering the dose. Trials report that most of the insulin resistance parameters return back to normal after 3-months of HGH therapy.
Patients at an increased risk of type 2 diabetes should undergo careful dose titration in combination with lifestyle changes which can improve insulin sensitivity. Those include weight loss and increased physical activity.
Doctor should monitor your therapy every 1-2 months initially in order to minimize the risk of adverse reactions
Your ideal dose will be determined according to your clinical response, side effects, and IGF-I levels. Long-term monitoring requires a doctors visit every 6 months.
Rare negative effects of HGH therapy may include retinopathy. There are two reported cases of this adverse reaction, which mimics diabetic retinopathy. However, the condition was completely reversed when therapy was discontinued.
Growth Hormone Side Effects
Great care should be given in determining who should be given the genetic growth hormone. If the hormone is given to adults or children with normal growth patterns, they will be at a much higher risk for developing side effects.
An excessive level of HGH in the body can cause the organs including the heart, liver and kidneys to grow to an excessively large size. This can lead to organ failure or dangerous conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and atherosclerosis. Extremely high levels of the human growth hormone in the system can also cause the bones to grow at an unhealthily fast rate, increasing the chance of injury during physical activity or natural periods of growth.
Acromegaly: One of the most common side effects suffered by those using HGH is acromegaly. This is a condition that causes the connective and facial bone tissue to grow at an increased rate, causing a change in appearance. The brow bone and jaw often protrude significantly after using the human growth hormone. The hands and feet may also grow to an abnormally large size when this hormone is unnaturally introduced. Hair growth across the body may become more affluent, darker and coarse.
Other growth hormone side effects include:
Benefits Of Hgh Vs Potential Side Effects
The many positive benefits that a patient with GHD can receive from growth hormone therapy, far outweigh the risk of any possible side effects. You would be doing yourself a major disservice if your doctor recommends growth hormone therapy, and you choose not to take it, because you are afraid of possible side effects. Growth hormone decline is cumulative. If your growth hormone levels have dropped to the point where you have tested positive for growth hormone deficiency, and you refuse treatment, your condition will only worsen. You will grow more tired, your metabolism will continue to slow, you will continue to gain weight and lose muscle, creating a downward spiral of poor health which will worsen with age. Left untreated, those with growth hormone deficiency also are at an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
On the other hand, if you remain conscious of the possible side effects and know what to watch for, but do not let that scare you into not getting HGH therapy, you will be well on the way to a stronger, healthier, and more vital version of yourself. Some of the many benefits of growth hormone therapy include:
- Increased strength
- Increased ability to burn fat and build muscle
- Healthier skin and bones
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What You Can Do & How A Hgh Lawsuit Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently investigating Human Growth Hormone induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at 920-0753.
What Are The Side Effects Of Hgh Supplements
HGH supplements are over-the-counter products that claim to effectively stimulate natural growth hormone production in healthy individuals.
One of the most common ingredients in HGH-boosting supplements is L-arginine. The amino acid is well-tolerated, and the only known risks include mild gastrointestinal side effects.
However, the evidence does not consistently support its effectiveness in increasing natural GH production.
HGH-stimulating supplements are not effective in GHD patients, since the pituitary gland can no longer function normally
Another class of HGH stimulants is the growth hormone secretagogues , such as GHRP-2/6, Ibutamoren, Sermorelin, Ipamorelin, CJC-1295 and others. They are peptide and peptide-like substances which trigger receptors in the hypothalamus and stimulate.
GHS is effective for increasing HGH production in people with preserved pituitary function. However, their effect is short and requires multiple daily dosing.
The most common side effects include increased appetite, higher cortisol and prolactin levels, weight gain, fluid retention, insulin resistance, and flushing.
Most of these products are not FDA-approved or regulated and therefore illegal in the US.
Locations
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Clinical Features Of Ghd
The function of several organ systems is directly altered by the loss of the physiologic effects of GH. Acquired isolated GHD is characterized by weight gain, increased fat mass, and decreased lean body mass . AGHD patients have 7% higher total body fat, with similarly decreased LBM . Central adiposity lends to increased waist:hip ratio. In addition, triglyceride levels are increased and high density lipoprotein levels decreased. This alteration in lipid levels may explain, in part, the observation of increased intima-medial wall thickness , as measured by carotid ultrasonography, in this population . These factors may contribute to the increased incidence of cardiovascular mortality seen in patients with GHD.
Decreased muscle mass and strength are also present in GHD patients. In the heart, these changes are manifested by reduction in left ventricular mass, decreased fractional shortening of cardiac myocytes, and decreased cardiac output. Such abnormalities may contribute to the decline in exercise capacity. Amato et al. demonstrated a reduction in exercise capacity by 2025% in GHD patients compared to normal controls. In addition, cortical bone density and trabecular bone density measurements in GHD patients were 2.8 and 1.5 SD, respectively, below the mean age and sex matched controls .
Table 1. Adult growth hormone deficiency quality of life assessment .
The signs and symptoms of GHD are summarized in Table 2 .
Table 2. The syndrome of adult growth hormone deficiency .
Are There Any Side Effects Of Stopping Hgh Therapy
If you have GHD, then therapy with recombinant GH cannot restore the normal function of the pituitary gland. Instead, it restores growth hormone levels back to normal ranges which can help you manage the symptoms.
Therefore, if you discontinue HGH therapy, your symptoms will likely return. The first symptom that returns after quitting HGH is increased fat mass and central obesity.
Currently, there is no evidence of a physical effect of withdrawal after discontinuing HGH therapy, apart from the return of GHD symptoms.
However, studies report that there might be psychological effects of withdrawal from HGH after long-term treatment. Therefore, GH should be tapered off under medical supervision, rather than stopped cold turkey.
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What Causes Growth Hormone Deficiency
GHD that isnt present at birth may be caused by a tumor in the brain. These tumors are normally located at the site of the pituitary gland or the nearby hypothalamus region of the brain.
In children and adults, serious head injuries, infections, and radiation treatments can also cause GHD. This is called acquired growth hormone deficiency .
Most cases of GHD are idiopathic, meaning that no cause has yet been found.
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Initiation And Monitoring Of Gh Treatment
Unlike pediatric GH treatment, often dosed in micrograms/kilograms of body weight/day, currently recommended GH replacement dosing in adults is individualized independent of weight, taking into account the patients age, gender, and estrogen status . Initiating therapy at low doses decreases the likelihood of developing common side effects like joint stiffness, arthralgias, myalgias, paresthesias, and peripheral edema, with fluid retention. The dose should be titrated at 68 week intervals based on clinical response, while avoiding side effects and monitoring serum IGF-I levels. Achieving a target in the upper half of normal age adjusted IGF-I range is desired. It is reasonable to start with higher doses in patients less than 30 years of age, but older patients should be started on lower doses and titrated more slowly to minimize occurrence of side effects. Some childhood-onset AGHD patients with very low pre-treatment IGF-I may develop GH side effects but still not reach mid-normal levels despite high GH doses.
Women taking oral estrogen replacement may require higher doses of GHRT, presumably because oral estrogen inhibits liver IGF-I production and secretion by a first pass effect . No dose adjustment is usually needed in patients on moderate doses of transdermal estrogen.
Tables 4 and 5 summarize the 2009 AACE recommendations for GHRT dosing and monitoring .
Table 4. Factors that may affect GH dosing .
Table 5. Recommendations for GH replacement therapy in AGHD .
What Are Human Growth Hormones Usually Used For
Men, in particular, use the hormone for athletic or aesthetic reasons since it can help improve muscle mass and reduce body fat.
Some sources say synthetic HGH improves athletic performance, but the scientific evidence to prove this is lacking. HGH is also banned by many professional sports leagues and athletic associations, resulting in fewer studies on growth hormones.
However, a group of researchers reviewed 44 studies on growth hormones in athletes. They found that:
After receiving daily injections for an average of 20 days, the subjects who received GH increased their lean body mass , by an average of 4.6 pounds.
While this is a substantial gain, the researchers couldnt find any connection to improved performance or increased strength.
Many people are using a combination of steroids and HGH to get maximum results in the gym. You may experience increased metabolism, a gain in muscle mass and a decrease in body fat, and improved mood and cognitive function.
However, your mileage will vary and you may discover the side effects arent worth the benefits. If you want to use performance-enhancing drugs, we are here to help without judgement. Its much safer if you use the help of a professional to mitigate the side effects these drugs can cause.
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What Is The Function Of Human Growth Hormone
Human growth hormone has two main functions: stimulating growth and impacting metabolism .
hGH and growth
Human growth hormone triggers growth in nearly every tissue and organ in your body. However, its most well-known for its growth-promoting effect on cartilage and bone, especially in the adolescent years during puberty. Cells in cartilage called chondrocytes and cells in bones called osteoblasts receive signals from hGH to increase replication and thus allow for growth in size.
Once the growth plates in a childs bones have fused, hGH no longer increases height. Instead, hGH helps to maintain normal body structure throughout the rest of your life.
hGH and metabolism
Metabolism consists of the chemical reactions in your body that change the food you eat into energy. All of the cells in your body need energy to function properly. Several different complex processes are involved in metabolism.
hGH impacts metabolism primarily by increasing the production of insulin-like growth factor-1 and its effect on cells in your body. IGF-1 is a hormone similar in structure to insulin that manages the effects of hGH in your body. Insulin is an essential hormone your pancreas makes that helps regulate your blood sugar levels by decreasing them. Like insulin, IGF-1 has glucose-lowering effects.
Does Hgh Cause Cancer
In the 1990s, a few studies linked HGH treatment in children with an increased risk of leukemia. However, more recently, studies have found no increased risk, and researchers believe that leukemia is only more common in children who have underlying risk-factors for the disease.
However, there is evidence linking HGH treatment with colon cancer, Hodgkins lymphoma, and recurrent neoplasms. According to a study published in Drug Safety in 2004:
A recent follow-up of pituitary GH recipients has suggested an increase in colorectal cancer. In addition, follow-up of oncology patients has suggested an increase in second neoplasms in those who also received GH therapy.
The problem is that HGH stimulates the body to produce insulin-like growth factor-1 . Both HGH and IGF-1 are known to cause cells to proliferate, including normal and cancerous cells. Studies in animals have shown that high doses of these hormones can cause malignant tumors. However, the risk in humans is still uncertain.
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What Happens When Human Growth Hormone Levels Are Too Low
Having lower-than-normal levels of hGH is called growth hormone deficiency. Its usually due to an issue with or damage to your pituitary gland that results in hypopituitarism when one, several or all of the hormones your pituitary gland makes are deficient. Human growth hormone could be one of the affected hormones.
Growth hormone deficiency affects adults and children differently.
hGH deficiency in adults
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 06/21/2022.
References
- Brinkman JE, Tariq MA, Leavitt L, et al. Physiology, Growth Hormone. . In: StatPearls . Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing 2021. Accessed 6/21/2022.
- Endocrine Society. What is Growth Hormone? Accessed 6/21/2022.
- Lab Tests Online. Growth Hormone. Accessed 6/21/2022.
- National Library of Medicine. Growth Hormone Tests. Accessed 6/21/2022.
- Nishad R, Mukhi D, Menon RK, et al. Growth Hormone and Metabolic Homeostasis. EMJ Diabet. 2018 6: 78-87. Accessed 6/21/2022.
- Society for Endocrinology. Growth Hormone. Accessed 6/21/2022.
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Before Taking This Medicine
You should not use somatropin if you are allergic to somatropin or benzyl alcohol, or if you have:
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a serious illness due to lung failure, or complications from recent surgery, injury, or medical trauma
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closed epiphyses
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eye problems caused by diabetes or
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you are being treated for Prader-Willi syndrome and you are overweight or have severe breathing problems .
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
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childhood brain cancer and radiation treatment.
In some cases, somatropin should not be used in a child. Certain brands of somatropin contain an ingredient that can cause serious side effects or death in very young infants or premature babies. Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
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What Other Alternatives With Hgh Treatments
Well, there is hope and you can safely stimulate your own hormones by taking natural supplements. The one I recommend is GENF20 Plus. You can review more on my website: Live the Organic Life.
Its common knowledge that as we age there is a decline in hormone levels. Its also common knowledge that if we stimulate our own hormone levels that we can enjoy many of the benefits we did in our youth.
What the public does not realize is that the form of human growth hormone that is being talked about in the news isthe injected form of HGH .
Steroids are synthetic chemical substances that are similar to the male hormone testosterone. To treat a number of health problems steroids have been prescribed and are illegal without a prescription.
How To Take Somatropin
Use Somatropin exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Your dose and brand of somatropin, and how often you use it will depend on the condition you are treating. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Somatropin is injected into a muscle or under the skin. A healthcare provider can teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.
Do not inject the subcutaneous injection into the same place two times in a row.
Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Do not use somatropin if you don’t understand all instructions for proper use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.
Prepare your injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not shake the medicine. Do not use if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed colors, or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.
If your medicine comes with a syringe, cartridge, or injection pen, use only that device to give your medicine.
You may need frequent medical tests.
Follow any diet plan created for you by your doctor or nutrition counselor to help control your condition.
How you store this medicine will depend on the somatropin brand and the diluent you are using. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about proper storage of your medication.
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What Are Human Growth Hormones
Human growth hormone is the naturally occurring hormone that helps humans grow. It is primarily produced in the growth stage of life, peaking at puberty and then slowly declining later in life.
HGH help build, repair and maintain brain and organ tissue, build bones, and promote cell growth and regeneration.
Its a vital hormone produced by the pituitary gland. If a child is deficient in natural growth hormone and suffers from poor growth, a doctor may prescribe synthetic human growth hormone so they can build strong, healthy bones and organs. Growth hormone deficiency is a rare condition but must be addressed.