Human Growth Hormone Uses, Benefits & Dosage - Drugs.com Herbal Database

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# Human Growth Hormone

Common Name(s): hGH, Human growth hormone

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 1, 2022.

## Clinical Overview

### Use

There are numerous animal and human studies evaluating the use of human growth hormone (hGH), primarily for its metabolic benefits. hGH has been used to treat growth hormone (GH) deficiency, as well as to increase energy and improve mood, increase lean body mass and muscle mass, and for its antiaging effects. However, there is limited clinical evidence to support these uses. Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), a prescription product, has become a target of abuse in the sporting world.

### Dosing

Various formulations (some homeopathic) have been studied for improving energy and mood; however, data are lacking to provide specific dosing recommendations.

### Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to any components of hGH.

### Pregnancy/Lactation

Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

### Interactions

None well documented.

### Adverse Reactions

Soft tissue edema has commonly occurred in women treated with hGH and is not dose related. Increased concentrations of glucose and insulin have also been documented.

### Toxicology

No data.

## Source

The biological source for active hGH is the human pituitary glands.(Franklin 2011, Kemp 2011)

## History

The first report of hGH use for the treatment of short stature or GH deficiency was in 1958. Early GH preparations were derived or extracted from human cadaver pituitaries for therapeutic use. The biochemical structure was determined in 1972. Production of some early preparations was discontinued due to the potential increased risk for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, an incurable, often fatal, neurodegenerative condition. In 1985, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the commercial use of an rhGH product. Commercial preparations now have the identical 191 amino acid sequence found in the native human pituitary hormone.(Allen 2011, Franklin 2011, Kemp 2011) The rhGH injection is FDA-approved for long-term use in the treatment of children with growth failure.

## Chemistry

hGH is a single polypeptide chain of 191 amino acid residues and 2 disulfide bridges. Chemical dictionaries document the following composition: 53.74% carbon, 6.96% hydrogen, 16.59% nitrogen, 21.69% oxygen, and 1.01% sulfur.

## Uses and Pharmacology

There are numerous animal and human studies evaluating the use of hGH, primarily for its metabolic benefits. hGH has been used to treat GH deficiency, as well as to increase energy and improve mood, increase lean body mass and muscle mass, and for its antiaging effects. rhGH has become a target of abuse in the sporting world. Conversely, sports medicine clinicians may encounter athletes using rhGH to achieve normalcy in the context of GH deficiency.(Siebert 2018)

### Antiaging effects

#### Clinical data

Aging is related to changes in overall body composition and metabolism, and to a reduction in GH plasma levels. In a few, short-term studies, age-related changes in body composition and metabolism were reversed or decreased by supplementation with hGH.(Bartke 2008, Giordano 2008)

In a meta-analysis of 18 randomized, controlled trials of patients treated with hGH, small changes in overall body composition and decreases in total cholesterol levels were observed. No changes in bone density and other serum lipid levels were reported. Due to an increased rate of adverse events, hGH could not be recommended for antiaging purposes. Adverse events with hGH included soft tissue edema, arthralgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, gynecomastia, onset of diabetes mellitus, and impaired fasting glucose.(Liu 2007)

Somatopause is associated with age-related declines in hGH (production and secretion), GH-binding protein, and insulinlike growth factor; age-related changes are linked to these anabolic hormones. Limited clinical studies are investigating the antiaging benefits versus the risks of hGH supplementation.(Sattler 2013)

Height and the rate and regulation of GH secretion have been related to human aging, but longevity is not extended in individuals with syndromes of GH deficiency or resistance. However, the risk of age-related chronic disease is reduced in individuals affected by these syndromes, with various indices of increased health span reported.(Bartke 2021)

### Athletic performance

Lean body tissue is thought to be preserved by hGH supplementation. Professional athletes seeking improved performance and recovery from injury have used hGH for its anabolic and lipolytic activity.(Liu 2008) While rhGH is an important therapeutic agent for GH-deficient patients, it has also been a target of abuse in competitive athletics. Benefits in healthy adults are uncertain. A safe exercise and competition plan, developed with a physician knowledgeable on GH use, physiology, and abuse potential, is of benefit to a longitudinal clinician-patient relationship.(Siebert 2018)

#### Clinical data

In a meta-analysis evaluating effects of GH on athletic performance, nearly 7,600 studies were identified, of which 44 met inclusion criteria for evaluation of muscle performance outcomes. Overall, results showed that athletic performance was not improved by hGH supplementation. While the available limited evidence suggests that hGH increases lean body tissue, it may not improve strength.(Liu 2008)

A short-term study involving experienced weight lifters administered hGH documented no increase in the rate of muscle protein synthesis and no reduction in body protein breakdown.(Yarasheski 1993) Some studies suggest that hGH supplementation may actually reduce exercise capacity,(Liu 2008) while others suggest that hGH may improve energy supply (anaerobic performance) and thus enhance exercise capacity.(Birzniece 2010, Liu 2008, Meinhardt 2010) Although increases in lean body mass have been observed following supplementation with hGH, it is likely that fluid retention, rather than increased muscle mass, contributes to the increase.(Birzniece 2010) In one study, hGH treatment resulted in statistically significant improvements in sprint capacity compared with placebo.(Meinhardt 2010)

### GH deficiency syndrome

GH therapy with daily injections of rhGH, a prescription product, has been available since 1985, and is shown to be a safe and effective treatment for short stature in children and for adult GH deficiency.(Lal 2019)

### Hair disorders

The relationship between hGH and human hair follicle biology is an area of active research.(Horesh 2021)

### Mood/Quality of life

#### Clinical data

GH replacement therapy has been shown to improve mood and quality of life in patients with GH deficiency and may be a promising option for patients with epilepsy-related depression.(Butler 2019)

## Dosing

Various homeopathic hGH formulations, administered daily, have been used for improvement in energy and mood; however, data are lacking to provide specific dosing recommendations.

## Pregnancy / Lactation

Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

## Interactions

None well documented.

## Adverse Reactions

Soft tissue edema has commonly occurred in women treated with hGH and is not dose related. Fluid retention appears to be related to hGH's action on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system; angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and spironolactone are effective in reversing the fluid retention. Increased concentrations of glucose and insulin concentrations have also been documented.(Giordano 2008)

## Toxicology

No data. Caution is warranted with homeopathic products because many supplements contain ingredients that might stimulate endogenous GH production.

## References

## Disclaimer

This information relates to an herbal, vitamin, mineral or other dietary supplement. This product has not been reviewed by the FDA to determine whether it is safe or effective and is not subject to the quality standards and safety information collection standards that are applicable to most prescription drugs. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this product. This information does not endorse this product as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this product. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this product. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You should talk with your health care provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this product.

This product may adversely interact with certain health and medical conditions, other prescription and over-the-counter drugs, foods, or other dietary supplements. This product may be unsafe when used before surgery or other medical procedures. It is important to fully inform your doctor about the herbal, vitamins, mineral or any other supplements you are taking before any kind of surgery or medical procedure. With the exception of certain products that are generally recognized as safe in normal quantities, including use of folic acid and prenatal vitamins during pregnancy, this product has not been sufficiently studied to determine whether it is safe to use during pregnancy or nursing or by persons younger than 2 years of age.

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Bartke A. Growth hormone and aging. Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 2021;22(1):71-80. doi:10.1007/s11154-020-09593-233001358
Bartke A. Growth hormone and aging: a challenging controversy. Clin Interv Aging. 2008;3(4):659-665. doi:10.2147/cia.s369719281058
Birzniece V, Nelson AE, Ho KK. Growth hormone administration: is it safe and effective for athletic performance. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2010;39(1):11-23. doi:10.1016/j.ecl.2009.10.00720122446
Butler T, Harvey P, Cardozo L, et al. Epilepsy, depression, and growth hormone. Epilepsy Behav. 2019;94:297-300. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.01.02230773449
Franklin SL, Geffner ME. Growth hormone: the expansion of available products and indications. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2011;58(5):1141-1165. doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2011.07.00621981953
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Horesh EJ, Chéret J, Paus R. Growth hormone and the human hair follicle. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(24):13205. doi:10.3390/ijms22241320534948002
Kemp SF, Frindik JP. Emerging options in growth hormone therapy: an update. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2011;5:411-419. doi:10.2147/DDDT.S2314021966214
Lal RA, Hoffman AR. Perspectives on long-acting growth hormone therapy in children and adults. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2019;63(6):601-607. doi:10.20945/2359-399700000019031939485
Liu H, Bravata DM, Olkin I, et al. Systematic review: the effects of growth hormone on athletic performance. Ann Intern Med. 2008;148(10):747-758. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-148-10-200805200-0021518347346
Liu H, Bravata DM, Olkin I, et al. Systematic review: the safety and efficacy of growth hormone in the healthy elderly. Ann Intern Med. 2007;146(2):104-115.17227934
Meinhardt U, Nelson AE, Hansen JL, et al. The effects of growth hormone on body composition and physical performance in recreational athletes: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2010;152(9):568-577. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-152-9-201005040-0000720439575
Sattler FR. Growth hormone in the aging male. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013;27(4):541-555. doi:10.1016/j.beem.2013.05.00324054930
Siebert DM, Rao AL. The use and abuse of human growth hormone in sports. Sports Health. 2018;10(5):419-426. doi:10.1177/194173811878268829932857
Yarasheski KE, Zachweija JJ, Angelopoulos TJ, Bier DM. Short-term growth hormone treatment does not increase muscle protein synthesis in experienced weight lifters. J Appl Physiol (1985). 1993;74(6):3073-3076. doi:10.1152/jappl.1993.74.6.30738366011

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