What Growth Hormones DON’T Do

Growth hormones (GH) are naturally occurring in the human body and stimulate growth, cell reproduction, and cell regeneration. While a person cannot increase muscle mass or bone density without them, they are also important to maintaining the health of all human tissue, including the brain and other vital organs.

GH diminishes age-related diseases, increases libido, and helps maintain mental alertness. If a person’s GH levels are low, they may exhibit symptoms such as muscle loss, fat gain, low sex drive, and decreased energy levels.

For most of us, our only reference to growth hormones may have come from news reports on an athlete or bodybuilder who has used them to bulk up muscle or improve performance. This is illegal as well as highly dangerous if the person is not experiencing a growth hormone deficiency.

Signs & Symptoms of a Growth Hormone Deficiency

If you, as an adult, have a GH deficiency, you may be exhibiting the following symptoms:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Male baldness
• Decreased sex drive
• Reduced muscle mass
• Diminished strength
• Problems with concentration and memory
• Dry, thin skin
• Elevated triglyceride levels
• Fatigue
• Heart problems
• High LDL levels
• Insulin resistance
• Low tolerance of exercise
• Reduced bone density
• Hot/cold sensitivity
• Low energy
• Weight gain, especially around the waist

It is important for adults experiencing these symptoms to speak with a medical professional for testing, diagnosis, and proper treatment.

What Do Growth Hormones Do?

For those suffering from a GH deficiency, GH treatment can prove highly beneficial. Benefits include:

• Increased metabolism
• Regulation of the immune system
• Improved heart performance
• Enhanced tissue regeneration
• Resistance to osteoporosis
• Reduced body fat
• Increased muscle mass and strength
• Lowered cholesterol levels
• Improved fertility

As such, patients undergoing GH treatment may experience:

• Smoother, tighter skin
• Thicker hair
• Stronger nails
• Reduced cellulite
• Improved mood
• Deeper sleep

What Don’t They Do?

For those suffering from a GH deficiency, growth hormone treatments can offer some amazing results. But for those who are not GH deficient, using GH to enhance performance or build muscle mass is dangerous because it interferes with the body’s ability to produce the hormones naturally.

Additionally, while GH treatment will increase lean body mass, studies indicate that that doesn’t translate into improved performance. In the end, athletes or bodybuilders who mistakenly believe GH will make them better on the ball field or in the weight room, are in fact, risking their health for nothing.

What’s more, those who think that GH might be a kind of “fountain of youth” anti-aging treatment (more energy, more muscle, less fat!) will be disappointed to learn that the FDA has not approved it for that particular application either. 

Are Growth Hormones Safe?

When administered by a medical professional, GH treatments are safe and effective for those suffering from a GH deficiency. However, as with any medical procedure, there are both risks and side effects of GH treatments, though many are rare. Some of those may include:

• Acromegaly, which is a condition characterized by thick, rough, and oily skin
• Progression of cancer, because GH induces the proliferation of cells
• Muscle and joint pain
• Swelling
• Blurred vision
• Dizziness and headaches
• Sleep apnea
• Diabetes

Additionally, there are some patients for whom GH treatments are not recommended. Those include people who:

• Have tumors or cancer
• Are seriously ill
• Have suffered injuries from trauma
• Have severe breathing problems

How Is GH Deficiency Diagnosed?

If you are exhibiting symptoms of GH deficiency, you should seek a diagnosis from a medical professional who will administer blood tests to determine the levels of chemical production in the body. Additionally, they will examine your:

• Muscle size
• Skin tone
• Hair quality
• Energy levels
• Endurance
• Brain function
• Mood

Once diagnosed with the condition, your medical professional will likely prescribe a course of injectable GH treatments.

How Can I Get Growth Hormones?

The safest way to obtain GH is via prescription from a licensed medical professional. You may be tempted to acquire GH from one of the many companies on the Internet or TV that advertise GH products in the form of pills or spays. Their claims of anti-aging, fat reduction, muscle building, hair growth restoration, strengthened immune system, increased energy, improved sex drive, and more may seem like the miracle cure you’ve been looking for!

However, lacking the evidence to support those claims, the Federal Trade Commission has not approved these products or substantiated their promised outcomes. What’s more, when you purchase GH from an unreliable source, you may be getting an impure or counterfeited drug that could potentially harm you.

Find Out if GH Can Help You

Once a medical professional has diagnosed you with a GH deficiency, they may prescribe GH injections as treatment. Typically, this involves daily doses of GH along with doctor’s visits every four to eight weeks throughout the course of treatment. At these visits, your doctor will monitor your cholesterol levels, blood glucose levels, and bone density to ensure all your levels are where they should be. 

If you are concerned that you may be GH deficient or are exhibiting symptoms of GH deficiency, it’s important to have a medical professional evaluate and diagnose your condition. The medical team at Balance Hormone Center is available to meet with you and perform the tests necessary to make a professional diagnosis.