What You Should Know About Growth Hormone Replacement

Human growth hormone (HGH) injections are the standard course of treatment for people who have been diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. HGH therapy is designed to restore healthy levels of growth hormone to treat common side effects like stubborn weight gain and lost muscle mass. Here's what you should know if your doctor has recommended HGH therapy.

What is Human Growth Hormone?

Growth hormone is one of your body's most important hormones, both during childhood and adulthood. Growth hormone is produced and secreted by the pituitary gland in the hypothalamus. The main purpose of GH is triggering cell regeneration and growth in kids and adolescents to grow taller and build muscle, bone, and fat. In teenagers and adults, growth hormone is responsible for regulating a healthy body composition to keep muscle, fat, and bone in proper proportion. It also helps with everything from heart function to metabolizing fat and sugar.

Growth hormone levels begin to decline in men and women some time after puberty, with a faster decline beginning around the age of 30.

Understanding HGH Deficiency

Someone has growth hormone deficiency if their pituitary gland fails to produce sufficient HGH. HGH deficiency can occur in people of any age and there are many known causes. In children, GH deficiency is often the result of a genetic condition like Turner's syndrome. Adult onset HGH deficiency is usually the result of damage to the pituitary gland. This may be caused by a pituitary tumor, radiation, a severe head injury, an autoimmune disorder, or interrupted blood flow to the pituitary gland.

Adults with HGH deficiency can experience a wide range of symptoms, some severe enough to interfere with daily life. Common symptoms of low growth hormone include:

·         Osteoporosis or lost bone density

·         Low energy and low stamina

·         Problems with memory and concentration

·         Increased fat, especially on the abdomen

·         Decreased muscle mass and strength

·         Sexual dysfunction

·         High cholesterol, which may lead to heart disease

·         Sensitivity to hold and cold

Why Consider HGH Therapy?

While the severity of the symptoms vary by person, growth hormone deficiency is a serious problem. When your body fails to produce enough growth hormone, your body will have trouble building and maintaining bone and fat, and your metabolism will suffer. This can lead to an unhealthy body composition and a higher risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.

If you suspect you have low growth hormone levels, your doctor can check your hormones with a simple blood test. HGH injections are the only way to effectively restore normal growth hormone levels and counteract these symptoms. Hormone therapy has been safely used for decades and it has a proven track record. If you have symptoms of low HGH, you don't need to live with your symptoms or assume they're signs of normal aging. Schedule a consultation to have your HGH levels checked. 

3 Important Benefits of HGH Therapy

Your body has dozens of hormones that help you do everything from build muscle to break down food and absorb nutrients. One of the body's most important hormones is human growth hormone (HGH). Growth hormone is responsible for triggering and regulating growth processes to build bone, muscle, and fat, help you grow in size and strength, and more. As important as this hormone is to children, it also plays many roles in adults. HGH helps control your metabolism, maintain your muscles and bones, and fuel the replacement of new cells that die or become damaged.

Adults and children who have a growth hormone deficiency are usually prescribed HGH injections, which can reduce fat, boost bone density, and improve muscle mass while helping to regulate other important processes in the body. Here are three of the most important benefits of HGH therapy.

1. Boost Bone Density

People who have growth hormone deficiency have reduced bone mineral density. In the past, research showed uncertainty as to whether HGH therapy could improve bone density, but several studies have found that HGH replacement can reverse some of the effects of the deficiency on bone density in adults. This can help reduce the risk of fractures and osteoporosis.

2. Reduce Fat

Adults with an HGH deficiency usually have trouble metabolizing fat, which leads to stubborn weight gain. According to several recent studies, HGH replacement results in an average of 5 pounds of decreased fat, which is equal to the amount of lean muscle the average person gains. While study participants ended the study at the same weight, they had a healthier body composition. Most fat lost from hormone replacement is in the abdomen, which is the most dangerous type of fat because it's associated with an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes.

3. Increased Muscle

Another important function of growth hormone in adults is building and maintaining muscle. Studies have shown that people who receive growth hormone replacement and exercise gain an average of five pounds of lean muscle over six months. Growth hormone therapy has proved to be an effective way of improving lean muscle mass and improving body composition.

While HGH therapy also has anti-aging benefits, growth hormone is not approved for anti-aging, only for individuals who have a growth hormone deficiency. If you suspect you have an HGH deficiency -- including fatigue, decreased sexual function, anxiety, higher body fat, reduced muscle, and sensitivity to cold and heat -- it's important to schedule a consultation with an experienced HGH doctor.