Side Effects Of HGH?

Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is known by medical professionals as somatotropin. Human Growth Hormone is a substance created by the pituitary gland in children and adolescent youth that stimulates the production of growth and cell reproduction, primarily in height growth, i.e. large bones.

Human Growth Hormone primarily stimulates division and multiplication of cartilage and chondrocytes (cells in the growing ends of children’s long bones (legs, arms, fingers and toes). HGH also acts on the liver to stimulate the production of Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-I). IGF-I also promotes bone growth. The level of HGH and IGF-I tends to decrease with age.

Problems associated with HGH are like many other hormones in the human body. You can have too much, or you can have to little. If there is to much HGH in the blood, it is called Excessive Growth Hormone, also known as acromegaly or pituitary gigantism. This disease is essentially a benign adenomas or tumor that grows on the cells of the anterior pituitary.

As it grows, it produces more and more Growth Hormone. Symptoms will manifest as the tumor becomes large enough to cause headaches or impairs one’s vision due to pressure on the optic nerve. If untreated, Excessive Growth Hormone will cause thickening of the bones, particularly the jaw-bone, fingers and toes. The treatment for Excessive Growth Hormone due to secreting tumor is the removal of the tumor. In some cases, a treatment of focused radiation can be used to shrink the tumor.

A misconception brought on by the media is that HGH Excess because of Gigantism is a side effect of using growth hormone in a healthy body. It is possible to develop Gigantism in an adolescent that has not yet reached puberty. Gigantism or acromegaly is a disease that is essentially a benign adenomas or tumor that grows on the cells of the anterior pituitary. As it grows, it produces more and more growth hormone, causing HGH Excess.

It is important to understand that “HGH producing” supplements have not been available for very long and the long-term effects of using these products are unknown. Mary Lee Vance of the University of Virginia said in an editorial, “Because there are so many unanswered questions about the use of growth hormone in the elderly and in adults with growth hormone deficiency, its general use now or in the immediate future is not justified.”

There are many products available, HGH by prescription and “HGH producing” supplements that are available over the counter. Caution should always be taken; seek a doctor’s advice before administering growth hormone or “HGH producing supplements” to ensure all of your options are considered.