hGH – Human Growth Hormone
We offer human Growth Hormone (HGH) replacement therapy helping patients designed to treat symptoms and problems associated with Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency (AGHD).
Growth hormone deficiency has been a well recognized illness in medical literature. But it is only recently that full scope of growth hormone deficiency in adults has been recognized.
In adults, the clinical syndrome includes:
- Altered body composition (increased fat mass, decreased lean body mass)
- Decreased muscle strength
- Altered lipid profile
- Decreased bone mineral density
- Diminished quality of life, characterized by low energy level, increased emotional lability and irritability, and increased social isolation
- Enhanced cardiovascular risk
Effects of HGH Therapy
Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency (AGHD) can be effectively treated with recombinant human Growth Hormone.
HGH is critical for tissue repair, healing, muscle growth, bone strength, brain function, physical and mental health, energy, and metabolism.
Benefits may include:
- Increased energy.
- Increased muscle strength and mass
- Increased skin elasticity, texture, and youthful looks.
- Increased sexual potency.
- Decreased body fat.
- Improved mental functioning and strength.
- Improved immunity and healing.
- Improved bone strength.
- Elevated good cholesterol and lowered bad cholesterol.
hGH – Physiological Effects
HGH is one of several endocrine hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, melatonin and DHEA that decline in production with aging.
For years, doctors have prescribed HGH for children who needed a growth boost but growth deficiencies do not just affect children, they can be a significant problem for adults too.
HGH is produced at a rate that peaks during adolescence, at time when normal growth is accelerated. Starting as early as 30 years of age. the production of HGH decreases with age, 14% each year on an average,
Humans normally produce about 500 micrograms of HGH daily at age 20. By age 80, the daily production falls to 60 (or less) micrograms. IGF-1 levels below 200 to be HGH deficient and a diagnosis on Adult Onset Growth Hormone Deficiency Syndrome is made.
Now FDA has approved recombinant human Growth Hormone for the use in adult patients. It has been approved it only was authorized for use to promote growth in short children with growth deficiencies.
The first major study showing the promise of HGH therapy was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1990.
The Conclusions of this study was - Diminished secretion of growth hormone is responsible in part for the decrease of lean body mass, the expansion of adipose-tissue mass, and the thinning of the skin that occur in old age. (N Engl J Med 1990; 323:1-6.)
The results were promising: increases in lean muscle mass, decreases in adipose fat tissue, and increases in vertebral bone height. All test subjects had measurable increases in HGH levels, as measured by IGF-1 blood values. The control group did not get these benefits.
According to the authors of this study – “’ … The effects of six months of human growth hormone on lean body mass and adipose-tissue mass were equivalent in magnitude to the changes incurred during 10 to 20 years of aging.”
Diagnosis
Because GH is released in pulses, random blood measurement of GH is not a reliable indicator of GH status. In most instances, a provocative test (i.e., a stimulation test) is necessary to document GH deficiency. The insulin tolerance test (ITT), arginine test, and GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) test are some examples of commonly used stimulation tests. These tests take approximately 2 hours and are done on an outpatient basis.
Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a hormone produced by the liver (and peripheral tissues) in response to circulating GH. IGF-1 is a general marker of GH status, and a low random serum IGF-1 value may reflect the presence of GHD.
Treatment
Recombinant human GH (rhGH) is administered by once daily subcutaneous injections in a fashion very similar to the way in which a diabetic patient self-administers insulin.
Patients are often started on a low initial dose, with dose increases based on clinical response and serum IGF-1 levels adjusted to the mid-normal range for age and gender.
GH therapy has been shown to improve lean body mass, bone density, exercise tolerance, personal productivity and quality of life. The most common side effects are fluid retention and muscle/joint aches. These side effects are largely dose related, and these symptoms can be minimized by starting with a low initial dose and/or dose reductions.