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Human growth hormone, also called somatotropin, is a chemical messenger inside the human body that regulates growth in children and metabolism in adults.
It is one of the hormones that the pituitary gland can produce in your brain. However, some individuals may suffer from hypopituitarism which leads to low HGH levels and health issues.
Since the 1980s, the most successful treatment of low HGH is the administration of synthetic growth hormone that is created via recombinant DNA technology. The product is called somatropin and it has an identical polypeptide (protein) structure to the naturally produced somatotropin.
What does HGH do?
HGH owes its name due to the effects it has on children. It is the main stimulus for overall growth from birth until late adolescence.
Growth hormone is important for adults as well, due to its complex effects on the human metabolism and the function of different tissues and organs such as:
- Positive effect on protein synthesis which helps preserve muscle tissue
- Increases calcium absorption and bone mineralization
- Promotes lipolysis (fat breakdown)
- Protective effect against hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Supports the function of the thyroid gland
- Stimulates the production of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) which mediates many anabolic effects
The levels of GH fluctuate on a daily basis which results in one or few peaks per day.
HGH peaks in men can reach up to 10 ng/mL, compared to 14 ng/mL in women
According to scientific evidence, women tend to produce more HGH because they have higher levels of estrogen which has antagonistic effects compared to the growth hormone.
How to diagnose GH deficiency
Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) can occur as a congenital (present since birth), acquired, or idiopathic (unknown cause) condition.
Adult-onset GHD (AGHD) is usually acquired, which means it has a specific cause that occurred during adulthood and affects the normal function of the pituitary gland.
The most common causes of AGHD include tumors, infarction, trauma, surgery, radiation, or infection. GHD symptoms may include:
- Abdominal fat gain
- Muscle wasting
- Loss of bone mass
- Lack of libido
- Depression
- Fatigue and lack of motivation
- Sleep problems and reduced quality of life
- Elevated cholesterol
If you have any of these signs, you should visit an experienced endocrinologist who will access your condition and help you manage your symptoms.
GHD diagnosis requires an in-person visit and specific tests that need to be performed under medical control
You can contact our medical staff to receive more information about GHD diagnosis and management.
Who needs HGH therapy?
The administration of synthetic (recombinant) growth hormone as a treatment is also known as HGH therapy. According to scientific consensus, there are a total of 10 FDA-approved indications for the therapy:
- Growth hormone deficiency
- Short bowel syndrome (SBS)
- Muscle wasting due to AIDS
- Growth failure due to chronic renal insufficiency
- Turner syndrome
- Noonan syndrome
- Prader-Willi syndrome
- Small-for-gestational-age infants
- Short stature homeobox (SHOX-D)-containing gene deficiency
HGH therapy is effective only when the hormone is administered via subcutaneous injections.
Daily growth hormone injections create a peak in the GH levels inside your body that is similar to its natural synthesis.
Signs and conditions which are contraindications or precautions for HGH therapy include:
- Somatropin allergy
- Untreated diabetes
- Cancer
- Increased intracranial pressure
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Edemas
- Sleep apnea
- Pancreatitis
Even though the GH has a similar function in men and women, there are some differences in terms of benefits.
Learn more about HGH therapy for men and HGH therapy for women, how it can help and what changes to expect during the therapy.
Where and how to get HGH legally?
HGH is a prescription medication, which means you need a legal prescription from a medical doctor before purchasing it.
In adults, HGH therapy can be prescribed for conditions such as GHD, SBS, or AIDS-related muscle wasting.
If you have symptoms of low GH, you should visit your physician or preferably an endocrine specialist who may suggest measuring your hormonal levels.
When a diagnosis such as GHD is confirmed, you will be given an HGH prescription.
Receiving a legal HGH prescription is the only way you can purchase HGH from licensed pharmacies that can guarantee the product is genuine.
You can’t get a prescription online, since it requires in-person medical examinations and specific tests that can be performed only in medical settings.
Getting a legal HGH prescription and therapy is important for your safety because there are plenty of counterfeit HGH products that try to lure patients with lower prices.
However, illegal products are often diluted, expired, or contaminated with chemicals which makes them ineffective and dangerous for your health.
Learn more about the process of receiving a legal HGH prescription and why it is the only way to get safe and effective treatment.
How much does legal HGH therapy cost?
The total cost of your therapy will depend on its length, dosage, HGH brand and form. Initially, you may spend around $200 on the medical exam and diagnostic tests before your doctor gives you a legal HGH prescription.
The cost of a vial that requires reconstitution such as Humatrope or Saizen 5mg starts at around $250.
Prefilled pens such as Norditropin FlexPro are usually more expensive but easier to use. Alternatively, there are Genotropin pens with a single dose and cost starting at around $200 per injection.
The length of the therapy will be determined by your doctor, during your regular checkups every 1-2 months. Currently, there is no scientific data on what is the optimal length of growth hormone replacement therapy.
Once you discontinue the therapy, symptoms of low GH are likely to return. Thus, patients who experience significant benefits from GH treatment without serious side effects can continue therapy indefinitely.
Can you get HGH injections online?
Once you have a legal HGH prescription, you can buy genuine GH from licensed US pharmacies, including online pharmacies as well.
HGH supplements and homeopathic products are often advertised and sold without the need for a legal prescription.
However, they contain amino acids, herbal extracts, or homeopathic dilutions instead of genuine growth hormone which renders them ineffective in treating GHD.
People often purchase these supplements over the counter because of claims that they boost physical performance and fat loss. However, scientific studies do not support such statements and reveal that supplements, as well as homeopathic products, are not more effective than placebo.
Learn more about how to purchase genuine HGH products online, which brands are the best on the market, and what is the average daily cost.
What results to expect from HGH?
HGH therapy has multiple benefits for people with low GH levels such as:
- Losing belly fat
- Regaining muscle
- Improved energy levels and motivation
- Reducing depression
- Increased libido
- Higher bone mineral density and lower fracture risk
Usually, the first benefits occur within the first 4 weeks of HGH therapy. They include an increased cell regeneration related to the spike in IGF-1 levels.
After the first month, most patients also start to notice visible improvements in body composition such as abdominal fat loss.
Long-term benefits include an increase in muscle mass and bone mineral density.
Patients also experience a reduction in their symptoms of depression, sexual dysfunction, and improved quality of life
Benefits of HGH
During HGH therapy, women often experience faster hair and nail growth, as well as improved skin quality. On the other hand, evidence suggests that men might experience improved erectile function and an increase in muscle mass.
According to trials in both men and women, GH therapy leads to a reduced risk of bone fractions.
Some studies suggest that increased bone mass in older patients is a long-lasting effect that continues even after the treatment has stopped
Unfortunately, other benefits are not permanent and once you get off the therapy, your symptoms may return.
Possible side effects
The main reason HGH side effects can occur is that the dose of growth hormone is too high. This can lead to side effects such as:
- Water retention and edemas
- Joint discomfort
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Increased intracranial pressure and headache
However, low-dose HGH is not likely to cause any adverse reactions at all. Currently, there is no sufficient evidence that HGH therapy might increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and cancer.
Less expensive products that do not belong to some of the global reputable brands (Lilly, Pfizer, Novo Nordisk, Sandoz) are often shipped from overseas and there is no guarantee for their quality, ingredients, or safety.
These products are often diluted or poorly stored. Improper storage of GH, such as high temperatures, shaking, etc. might inactivate the product and thus render the therapy ineffective.
Furthermore, cheaper products might be contaminated with chemical and biological hazards leading to unexpected side effects. If any such adverse reactions occur, you should immediately discontinue the product and contact your primary care physician.