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Dangers of Human Growth Hormone Therapy

Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy is considered safe for treatments of hormone deficiencies in children and adults because of pituitary gland abnormalities or damage to the gland from trauma or disease. However, all therapies, even medically approved and beneficial, come with risk. In some percentage of patients, dangers are present, and human growth hormone therapy is no different.

  1. Dangers Range From Minor to Serious

    • Headaches, stiff joints and fluid retention are minor side effects of growth hormone therapy. More serious dangers from extended use of HGH include abnormal cartilage and bone growth (acromegaly) and high blood pressure. Diabetes has been reported, as well as hypoglycemia, which results from increased levels of insulin.

    Dangers Cited by Experts

    • Published danger concerns from medical experts include the following:

      "Although based on small numbers in tests, the risk of colon and rectal cancer with hgh is of some concern, and further investigation in other groups of subjects is needed."--The Lancet, vol.360, 2002.

      "There are concerns about possible toxicity in adults."--Annals of Internal Medicine, vol. 137, 2002.

    Dangers Associated With Other Conditions

    • Human growth hormone therapy can contribute to dangerous side effects when any of the following conditions are present: brain tumor, cancer, illness shortly after open heart or stomach surgery, many injuries from an accident, lung disease or sleep apnea.

    Dangers of Allergic Reaction

    • Health-care providers should always be informed of any allergies or known reactions to medicine, food preservatives or dyes.

      Life-threatening allergic reactions can occur with the use of human growth hormone and require immediate response by a health-care provider or emergency department. These include the following: seizures; severe headache; severe nausea or vomiting; changes in vision; wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat; hip or knee pain; any other unusual behavior.

    Danger As An Enhancement Drug

    • Human growth hormone is related to steroids and has been included in the list of abuses associated with athletic performance supplements. As with steroids, there is little conclusive evidence that HGH helps to improve athletic performance. Instead, there is great risk from the dangers already mentioned here.

    Dangers of Legality

    • Physicians who have prescribed injections without documented lab proof of patient need have lost their licenses to practice medicine, and distributing human growth hormone without a prescription carries a hefty cost, as well: a prison term of up to five years and a $250,000 fine.

      HGH has gotten negative press worth considering, having been linked with anabolic steroids in the federal indictments of professional athletes. Olympic winning track and field athlete Marion Jones was indicted, stripped of her five gold medals and sentenced to jail time for illegal use of steroids (including HGH) and lying about that use in public.

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