Before going to know what is human growth hormone, you should know what is hormone and how many types of hormones present in our body and what can they do.
Hormones are very small chemical messengers that help our body to perform several tasks. They are made up of amino acids and processed by endocrine glands and then transferred all over the body to stimulate different activities.
The example of a hormone is insulin that helps to digest food. The activities such as digestion, growth, sexual functions, and reproduction are all handled by hormones and are depends on hormones to work properly.
The human growth hormone is produced naturally in the human body that contains the multifaceted network of amino acids.
The HGH is produced by the pituitary gland, which is present in the center of the human brain. This hormone is a very important factor in our body because it stimulates and regulates growth, orchestrate metabolism and promotes cell regeneration.
The human growth hormone is liable for controlling the heights of youngsters and adolescents, slowly bringing younger human beings to the peak they’ll stay.
This takes place whilst the human growth hormone is generated and released by the pituitary gland that stimulates the liver and other tissues to stimulate muscle tissue and bone growth.
Our body should always produce human growth hormone otherwise we would not be able to perform any action.
Also as our age increases, our body produces less amount of HGH. When we reach 60, we will have lost near about 75% of the human growth hormone that our body produced.
- At 20 years old our body produces an average of 500 micrograms/day of human growth hormone.
- At 40 years old our body produces an average of 200 micrograms/day of human growth hormone.
- At 80 years old our human body produces a median of 25 micrograms/day of human growth hormone.
The effects of human growth hormone on the body tissues can be described as anabolic or building up in the body. Similar to the other protein hormones it interacts with a specific receptor on the surface of the cell.
The most known effect of HGH is stimulating the increase in height of a child in his childhood. This can be stimulated by two mechanisms.
Human growth hormone directly stimulates multiplication and division of chondrocytes of cartilage. These cells are the primary cells present in the long bones of children.
It also stimulates the production of insulin-like growth factor – 1 (IGF-1). The major targeted organ of growth hormone for this process is the liver.
Other than increasing height in adolescents and children, human growth hormone has many other effects on the body such as:
- Higher energy levels
- Re-growth of liver, heart, kidneys, spleen and other organs that shrink with age
- Enhanced sexual performance
- Superior immune function
- Greater cardiac output
- Increased exercise performance
- Lowered blood pressure
- Better kidney function
- Stronger Bones
- Improved cholesterol profile, with higher HDL and lower LDL
- Faster wound healing
- Hair re-growth
- Younger, tighter, thicker skin
- Wrinkle removal
- Sharper vision
- Elimination of cellulite
- Mood elevation
- Improved sleep
- Increased memory retention
Human Growth Hormone Deficiency
Human growth hormone deficiency can be a partial or both conditions that may result in impaired physical development. Growth hormone is produced by a small pituitary gland situated at the bottom of the brain.
Different parts of brain release other types of hormones that control the secretion of human growth hormone. When the growth hormone makes an entry in the stream of blood it stimulates the liver to secrete another hormone-insulin-like growth factor (IFG-1).
Human growth hormone deficiency occurs because of the disruption in the release of GH from the pituitary gland or disruption in other hormones from the hypothalamus, which signals growth hormone release.
Following are the possible mechanisms that cause human growth hormone deficiency:
- Insufficient production of human growth hormone by the pituitary.
- The insufficient release of stimulatory hormone from the hypothalamus.
- Defects in the receptors that receive the hormone in the cells of the body.
- The decrease in IGF-1 hormones.
Following are the several possible causes that produce a deficiency of growth hormone:
- A lack of oxygen at birth.
- Sometimes it may happen because of a genetic defect, which in some instances may also be hereditary.
- Abnormalities in the hormone receptors.
- Diseases of the pituitary gland, the brain or the liver.
- An autoimmune attack.
If the function of the pituitary gland is not normal, then there is a reduction in the production of several other types of a pituitary hormone that may lead to other conditions.
Symptoms of Human Growth Hormone Deficiency
Noticeable slow growth (less than two inches per year) is the primary symptom of human growth hormone deficiency, although the body has normal proportion.
The child with human growth hormone deficiency may have:
- The standing height standard deviation score is usually below -2.
- An immature face, meaning he/she looks much younger than his/her peers.
- Growth velocity is below the 10-25th percentile, which reflects growth deceleration.
- Dentition is delayed.
- The average age of pubertal onset is delayed in both boys and girls.
- Excessive thirst with excessive urination
- In males, the phallus may be small.
- Absent or delayed sexual development in an adolescent
- Increased urine volume
- Headaches
An adult with human growth hormone deficiency may have:
- Reduced lean body mass and increased weight, especially around the trunk
- Cool peripheries
- Thin and dry skin
- Poor venous access
- Depressed affect
- Reduced muscle mass and strength and reduced exercise performance
- Labile emotions
Every child experience deficiency symptoms differently and may resemble other problems and medical conditions. Also, it is most important that growth deficiency does not affect the intelligence of the child.
Medical Treatment for Growth Hormone Deficiency:
Synthetic growth hormone can be used for children having human growth deficiency. The assistance of a pediatric endocrinologist is necessary for this treatment. This treatment is generally considered a safe treatment with rare side effects.
Synthetic growth hormone is given when the deficiency is an isolated growth hormone deficiency. If it is not isolated other hormone replacement may also be required.
Human Growth Hormone Replacement
Human growth hormone replacement is a new concept and is now getting a lot of attention of most of the consumers and peoples from the medical community.
Some medical experts believe that HGH has the ability to combat certain effects of aging, such as an increase in body fat, the loss of lean muscle tissue, sleeping problems, and decreased mental function.
Many people are excited about human growth hormone replacement therapy in the hopes that such treatments will help them feel younger as they age.
Human growth hormone replacement therapy is available in a variety of forms. Two popular forms are human growth hormone sprays and human growth hormone supplements.
Human growth hormone sprays are orally-administered tinctures that contain any range of a mixture of vitamins and amino acids designed to increase the frame’s natural manufacturing of Human Growth Hormone.
Human growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland, a small structure at the base of the brain.
Human growth hormone acts on the liver to stimulate the production of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), which is carried in the bloodstream to cells and tissues that use it to maintain the health of old cells and create new ones.
Most human growth hormone sprays tout their ease of use as a major selling point, advising two or three sprays beneath the tongue once or twice a day.
Many users of human growth hormone sprays report an immediate sense of well-being following their treatments and many see improvements in their energy, strength, alertness, and physical health after about three weeks.
Human growth hormone supplements act in many of the same ways as human growth hormone sprays.
Human growth hormone supplements come in a capsule, effervescent tablet, or powder form and are usually administered once or twice a day.
Like human growth hormone sprays, human growth hormone supplements are formulated to increase the body’s natural production of human growth hormone, often resulting in a reduction in body fat and an increase in lean muscle mass as well as other benefits, such as increased alertness, more restful sleep, and increased sex drive and sexual function.
Hormone replacement therapy is used for treating symptoms and conditions associated with blood levels of certain hormones decrease due to aging or some diseases.
There are many hormones produced by our body and there are many hormones replacement therapies available.
1. Estrogen Replacement Therapy
This therapy is specially used for getting relief from menopausal symptoms and to remain feminine and young forever.
In this therapy natural, synthetic and semi-synthetic estrogens are used. Natural estrogens are preferred to minimize side effects.
Estrogen therapy can be applied in the following form:
- Injections
- Oral drugs
- Pellets
- Vaginal suppositories
This therapy can be long term or short term. Long-term therapy is used to protect the bones and heart while short-term therapy is used for genitor-urinary atrophy and vasomotor symptoms. The therapy should be continued for at least 5 years after menopause to get better results.
2. Progesterone Replacement Therapy
Progesterone replacement therapy is mainly used to increase sexual desire and to increase psychological well-being. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a product of testosterone having similar effects.
The testosterone hormone can be replaced through five methods.
- Pellets
- Injections
- Patches
- Gels and Creams
- Lozenges
Estrogen and Progesterone Replacement therapy are used in women
- Who have had their ovaries removed for various causes
- Who has attained menopause
- Who have defective functioning of the ovaries
- Who have defective ovarian development
- Estrogen is used for treating prostate cancer
3. Melatonin Replacement Therapy
Melatonin hormone is responsible for the fluctuations of hormonal levels of the body during different dayparts and thus controls the functions of the body. 3mg of melatonin is taken daily. The melatonin is available in the following forms.
- Synthetic form
- Natural, animal or bovine form
Melatonin replacement therapy can be used.
- To increase lifespan
- To delay aging
4. Human Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy
Human growth hormone has an anti-aging effect by decreasing the fat content, increasing the muscle mass and improving the stamina.
Though human growth hormone is marketed in the forms of nasal sprays, oral sprays, capsules, tablets, and powders, none of them are effective.
The only effective form of taking human growth hormone is the injection form and is available only on prescription by a doctor.
The dose required for this therapy is 0.03 mg/kg per week. If the smaller dose of 0.01 mg./kg thrice per week are administered, the side effects of joint pain, fluid retention can be avoided. Recently FDA has approved the use of HGH is only for two conditions:
- Somatotropin deficiency syndrome
- Hypopituitarism
There are many different ways for Human Growth Hormone Treatment but there will be some side effects as well which can be practiced only by taking advice from the specialized doctors.
Advantages of Human Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy
Medical literature describes many benefits of human growth hormone replacement. Up to this point, much of the data is based on human growth hormone replacement by injection.
Therapy restores the levels of growth hormone in older patients to normal levels for a healthy young adult.
Benefits are gradually realized within four to six months and may continue to increase for up to 18 months or more.
As reported in medical papers, the benefits of HGH replacement therapy include:
- Muscle and lean body mass increases by an average of 8%
- Body fat decreases by an average of 15%
- Skin texture improves and skin shows fewer wrinkles
- Injuries, fractures, and wounds heal faster
- Bone density increases and osteoporosis regresses
- Brain function and memory is enhanced
- Immune system and resistance to infection is strengthened
Additional benefits include improvement in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s syndromes, improved sexual drive and function, improved heart and kidney function, improvement in sleep disorders and a better quality of sleep, improved exercise tolerance and stamina, and reinvigoration of the mind, mood, and creativity.
Overall, an improvement in both physical and mental well being.
When starting HGH replacement therapy, don’t expect benefits to happen overnight. Just as the human growth hormone levels in the body gradually decrease over time, so will benefit gradually appear.
Any person interested in retaining youthfulness should live a lifestyle that includes healthy living and physical activity.
In addition to healthy living, supplementing with HGH products may help you avoid or reduce many conditions associated with aging and improve your quality of life.
Also, there are several other hormones present in our body know about replacement therapies of these hormones at types of hormone replacement therapy.
Human Growth Hormone Side Effects
Human Growth hormone side effects may occur to the body of a human being. But side-effect term does not always refer to negative things.
The advantages of the hormone are considered to be positive side effects of hormone or hormone supplements, we provide our bodies.
Most of the human increase hormone medicinal makes use of consciousness on short-term correction of hormonal imbalance. The side effects of the human growth hormone can be minimized by reducing the length of time the hormone is used.
Also, you can reduce the number and severity of side effects by lowering the human growth hormone dosage.
Because of the excessive growth of human growth hormone side effects occur. This is a medical condition, which starts with the excessive growth of connective tissues, and facial bone that leads to a changed appearance because of the protruding jaw and eyebrow bones.
This may lead to the abnormal growth of feet and hands with increased hair growth on the entire body. Below are some of the known side effects of the excessive use of human growth hormone.
- Premature death
- Acromegaly
- Heart enlargement
- Excessive hair growth all over the body
- Low blood sugar with the risk of going into a diabetic coma
- Excessive water retention
- Thyroid damage
- Liver damage
The side effects of human growth hormone in adults may include joint pain, fluid retention and nerve compression symptoms.
The people who are taking HGH treatments may have to face some sorts of risks such as cancer or diabetes, special those people who are treated with higher doses.
The main cause of diabetes is poor nutrition or poor eating habits. One of the surveys of adults who had undergone the cadaver growth hormone replacement during childhood indicated a mildly increased colon cancer incidence, but the HGH treatment with linkage was not established.
As we know that human growth hormones are naturally produced in the human body, the side effects of HGH treatment are rare. Below is the excessive use of human growth hormone may cause:
a) Hypoglycemia
Exactly opposite of diabetes is hypoglycemia. People who suffered from diabetes are not able to produce enough amount of insulin that leads to dangerously high glucose levels. In fact, people having hypoglycemia produce too much insulin that leads to low glucose levels.
After taking human growth hormones, some people may get suffered from hypoglycemia because HGH increases the level of insulin in the human body.
b) Extended Belly
When the human growth hormone is taken for bodybuilding, it can cause an extended belly in a bodybuilder, if he does not take the drug as directed. This effect is very rare in those who take drugs as prescribed.
c) Acromeglia
A person who suffers from Acromeglia has an abnormal growth of bones. Acromeglia cannot be caused by HGH, but it can speed up the disease progression in people predisposed to it.
d) Joint Pain
As human growth hormone has the ability to cause a growth of a person’s body, some people who are taking HGH had reported that it caused joint pains in their body. This side effect is generally temporary.
e) Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
A pinched nerve in the twist can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. This can cause a loss of hand movement. Carpel tunnel syndrome can occur in people who do not take the HGH as prescribed by the doctor.
