HGH (Human Growth Hormone)

What is Human Growth Hormone (HGH)?

Human Growth Hormone (HGH), also known as somatotropin or somatropin (the synthetic version), is a peptide hormone naturally produced by the pituitary gland. It is a single-chain polypeptide with 191 amino acids. HGH is vital for growth, cell regeneration, and cell reproduction. In children, it promotes linear growth and helps maintain healthy tissues in adults, including the brain and other organs. Its release is not continuous; it is secreted in pulses, with the most significant amounts being released during sleep.

---

Benefits and Side Effects

Benefits

HGH has several accepted medical uses, primarily to treat growth hormone deficiency in children and adults. For those with a deficiency, HGH can:

• Increase bone density and muscle mass.

• Improve exercise capacity and reduce body fat.

• Help in treating muscle wasting associated with diseases like HIV/AIDS.

There are also unproven claims of HGH being used for anti-aging and athletic performance enhancement. However, scientific evidence supporting these uses is limited, and such use is controversial and often illegal.

Side Effects

Excessive or non-prescribed HGH use can lead to several adverse effects. These can be more pronounced in older adults. Possible side effects include:

• Nerve, muscle, or joint pain.

• Swelling of the arms and legs due to fluid retention (edema).

• High cholesterol levels.

• Carpal tunnel syndrome.

• Increased risk of heart disease and diabetes.

• In adults, long-term high doses can cause acromegaly, an overgrowth of bones in the hands, feet, and face.

• Growth of pre-existing malignant cells.

---

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Medical Efficacy: Highly effective for treating a range of medical conditions, including growth hormone deficiency in both children and adults.

• Body Composition: Can help to increase lean body mass and decrease fat, especially in individuals with a deficiency.

• Tissue Repair: Aids in the repair of muscle tissue and other organs.

Cons

• Health Risks: The potential for serious side effects like acromegaly, diabetes, and nerve issues is a major concern.

• Lack of Evidence for Non-Medical Use: There is a lack of robust scientific evidence to support its use for anti-aging or improving athletic performance in healthy individuals.

• Legality and Regulation: The non-medical use of HGH is illegal in many countries and is banned by major sports organizations.

• Cost: HGH injections are expensive.

---

Dosage, Half-Life, and Detection Time

Dosage

The dosage of HGH is highly individualized and depends on the specific medical condition being treated. For adults with HGH deficiency, a common starting dose is around 0.2 mg per day, with adjustments based on clinical response and blood work, particularly serum IGF-I levels. For bodybuilding or performance enhancement, doses can range from 2 to 8 IU per day, but this is not medically supervised and can be dangerous. It is typically administered via subcutaneous or intramuscular injections, usually daily.

Half-Life and Detection Time

HGH has a very short circulating half-life of only 20-30 minutes. However, its biological effects last much longer, with a biological half-life of 9-17 hours, because its effects are largely mediated by IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1).

Due to its short half-life and the fact that synthetic HGH is chemically identical to the natural hormone, direct detection in blood or urine is challenging. Athletes are typically tested using an "isoform" test, which can detect the synthetic version for a short period (up to 24-48 hours). Other tests, which look at biomarkers like IGF-1, can extend the detection window to several weeks.

---

Hormonal and Anabolic Effects

Sterogenic, Progestronic, and Prolactinic Effects

HGH does not have direct sterogenic (mimicking steroid hormones) or progestronic (mimicking progesterone) effects. However, it can influence other hormones.

• Prolactinic Effects: HGH and prolactin are peptide hormones that share similar signaling pathways. Studies have shown that HGH-releasing factors can increase prolactin levels, and certain pituitary tumors can secrete both hormones. This suggests a link and potential for HGH to indirectly affect prolactin, which in turn can cause issues like gynecomastia (enlarged male breasts) or galactorrhea (abnormal milk production).

Anabolic Androgenic Ratio

The anabolic-androgenic ratio is a measure used to compare the muscle-building (anabolic) effects of a substance to its masculinizing (androgenic) effects. This ratio is typically used for anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), which have both properties.

HGH is an anabolic hormone, but it is not an androgen. Therefore, it does not have an anabolic-androgenic ratio. It works through a different pathway, primarily by stimulating the liver to produce IGF-1, which is a potent anabolic hormone. This is a key reason why HGH is often favored by athletes who want to build muscle without the androgenic side effects of steroids, such as baldness or prostate enlargement.