Some individuals turn to the human growth hormone (HGH) in the hope that it’ll make them feel and look youthful. But health experts argue that this claim is unfounded, and the products could cause severe effects if misused.
HGH, released from the pituitary gland, enhances growth in children and adults. HGH also helps to regulate bone and muscle growth, body fluids, fat and sugar metabolism, and heart functioning. It can be produced synthetically, for instance, Syn Pharma HGH 100 iu, and it’s an active ingredient in various prescription drugs and other products over the internet.
This post will discuss how HGH works and how to use it.
How Does HGH Work?
As mentioned in the introduction, the pituitary gland produces HGH in pulses. When the levels of HGH increase, more muscle-building proteins are released, and the number of sarcomeres – which keeps body muscles in motion – gains. When the human growth hormone levels increase, there is less glucose uptake. The decreased glucose uptake, in turn, causes the amount of fat tissue (adipose) to decline.
In the human body, the levels of HGH are periodic. Sufficient and deep sleep is required for sustaining an optimal balance in the body because HGH production increases the most when a person is sleeping.
Uses of Human Growth Hormone
Synthetic human growth hormone was first produced in 1985, and the FDA approved the hormone for specific uses in children and adolescents. HGH injections in children are approved for treating short stature with no known cause and poor growth caused by medical causes such as:
- Chronic kidney disease
- HGH insufficiency or deficiency
- Turner’s syndrome – a genetic condition that impacts the development of girls
- Children born shortly due to gestational age
- Prader-Willi syndrome – a rare genetic condition that causes a constant feeling of hunger, low levels of your sex hormones, and poor muscle tone
In adults, HGH can be used to treat:
- HGH deficiency – caused by a rare pituitary tumor, or its treatment
- Short bowel syndrome – a condition where nutrients are not absorbed appropriately because of extreme intestinal disease or if a significant portion of your small intestines was removed surgically
- A muscle-wasting condition caused by HIV/AIDS
When HGH is administered to a patient, it helps to improve exercise capacity, reduce body fat, build muscle mass, and increase bone density. Because of these benefits, many people tend to use HGH for other reasons than the recommended ones.
Most of the applications of human growth hormones are not approved by the FDA. Several people use HGH and performance-enhancing products like anabolic steroids to improve their athletic performance and build more body muscle.
Moreover, HGH levels usually decrease as one gets older. As a result, some “experts” have claimed that HGH can reverse body deterioration. However, the FDA disapproves of HGH for this purpose.
How to Use the Human Growth Hormone (HGH)?
Insulin carries out its primary functions immediately after having a meal. Therefore, it would be best to take HGH shots multiple hours after consuming your last meal of the day.
When you inject the human growth hormone shortly before going to sleep, your body will maximize its effects via its natural cycle.
HGH should be subcutaneously injected – into the fatty tissue but just below your skin. The best sites to inject are the thigh, stomach, or deltoid. You have to pinch along your skin and inject the HGH into a fat roll. Here, it’s important to alternate these sites to prevent any bruising.
It’s essential to read and understand the patient instructions indicated on the medicine. You should follow your physician’s instructions on selecting and rotating injection sites on the body. Following these instructions will help you to minimize any skin problems. Put the used syringes and needles in puncture-proof disposable containers or dispose of them as indicated by the physician. Avoid reusing syringes or needles.
There is no one-size-fits-all dosage for every patient. The amount of medication you need to take will depend on the strength of the medicine. Furthermore, the number of drugs, the number of doses you need to take every day, and the duration you should take the medication will also depend on the medical condition that you’re treating.
There’s no available pill for HGH. Some supplements claim that they can elevate HGH levels, but no research indicates the benefits of HGH in pill form. The Food and Drug Administration considers HGH to be a controlled substance. For instance, if you use it as an anti-aging treatment or to build body muscle.
What are the Side Effects Linked to HGH?
Prescribed and illicit versions of these drugs can cause these side effects because the content is usually not regulated and known completely. However, side effects could be more severe in older people than younger people. There are no scientific pieces of evidence to indicate the long-term effects of using HGH. Some possible side effects associated with the hormone include:
- Joint, muscle, and nerve pains
- High levels of cholesterol
- Tingling and numb skin
- Increased rate of diabetes and heart disease
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Growth of cancerous cells
- Growth of facial features, feet, and hands
- Swelling of legs and arms caused by fluid retention
- Low blood sugar
- Gynecomastia – enlarged breasts in males
- General fatigue
The Bottom Line
From this post, it’s clear that the pituitary gland releases HGH, and it is crucial for keeping muscles in motion and producing muscle-building proteins. The production of HGH mainly occurs when people are sleeping. However, some conditions may cause growth hormone deficiency, impacting their growth. This reason is what drives people to use synthetic human growth hormones.
In addition, it would be best only to use HGH through a doctor or physician’s recommendation. While taking the hormone, you should check with your physician as often as possible.
It’s also a great idea to carefully observe your body’s reaction to HGH and whether or not there are adverse reactions. If you don’t have a condition causing growth hormone deficiency but would like to improve your general health and strengthen your body, there are many other methods. Eat a balanced diet, exercise routinely and participate in healthy habits to enhance your general wellbeing.
Resources
https://www.hormone.org/your-health-and-hormones/steroid-and-hormone-abuse/antiaging-hormones
https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_chem_info/hgh.pdf