The Quick Facts About Human Growth Hormone
Human growth hormone is a protein-based hormone secreted naturally by the pituitary gland. It stimulates growth and cell reproduction. When produced naturally in the body it is called somatotropin but the semi-synthetic variant made by recombinant DNA technology is called somatropin. Somatropin was introduced in 1985. Before then human growth hormone (HGH) used in treatment was obtained from cadavers. Since then the human growth hormone used all over the world has been somatropin.
The commonest clinical indications for human growth hormone are growth disorders in children and adult growth hormone deficiency. In such cases the effects of growth hormone include reduced fat mass, improved lipid profile (and so reduced cardiovascular risk factor), increased lean muscle mass, increased bone density, increased energy levels, improved skin tone and texture, increased sexual function and improved immune system function.
However, human growth hormone has found popular use in replacement therapy, as an anti-aging agent and for weight management. HGH slows down the process of aging by decreasing body fat and increasing muscle mass but not necessarily muscle strength. Also because the hormone is also anabolic (building up muscle mass, increasing bone density and energy levels) its use in athletics is banned.
There are other uses of HGH apart from as an anti-aging agent and in treatment of deficiencies of the hormone. One such use is in treatment of conditions that produce short statures even though they are unrelated to growth hormone deficiency e.g. shortness from Turner syndrome, intrauterine growth retardation and shortness from other unknown causes (idiopathic). For these, treatment with HGH requires higher doses of the hormone. Fortunately side-effects are pretty rare even with these doses.
Other applications include the use of this hormone in patients with wasting diseases such as AIDS to help maintain muscle mass. Also it is used in enhancing weight loss in the obese. Other experimental uses are in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, heart disease, fibromyalgia and ulcerative colitis.
Side-effects of HGH therapy are the development of carpal tunnel syndrome, swelling and pain in the joints and an increased risk of diabetes. Patients often present with lesser hours of sleep when using HGH but with longer use of the hormone this effect reduces.
So while human growth hormone replacement therapy is no doubt effective for certain conditions, it is use in other conditions especially those not involving a deficiency of the hormone only produces modest results.
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