Human Growth Hormone Uses & Side Effects

Human growth hormone (HGH) is used by doctors to treat a number of medical conditions, but it is the illicit use of HGH that attracts the most attention. The supervised use of human growth hormone by a doctor to treat a deficiency is usually quite safe. However, use of human growth hormone without a prescription and without medical advice can be dangerous and contribute to a number of serious side effects. The illicit use of HGH has become a problem in professional sports and the substance has been banned by the International Olympic Committee.

Uses

• Natural human growth hormone is produced in the body by the pituitary gland, but production of the hormone begins to slow around the age of 40. Synthetic HGH is normally prescribed by physicians and is approved by the FDA to treat hormone deficiencies or muscle wasting. However, some believe that supplementing with HGH may improve sports performance or reduce the negative effects of aging. Some Mayo Clinic studies have shown that HGH injections can increase muscle mass, but use of this supplement can also contribute to a host of negative side effects.

Cancer

• There is some concern that use of human growth hormone may be linked to cancer, because HGH may fuel the growth of tumor cells. Researchers at the Institute of Cancer Research in the UK found that people who received human growth hormone had an elevated risk of dying from cancer overall and had higher levels of colon cancer and Hodgkin's disease than the general population. Studies have also shown that mice given large amounts of HGH have a reduced life span compared to other mice.

Joint Problems

• Synthetic human growth hormone has also been linked to joint problems that mimic the symptoms of arthritis, including swollen and painful joints. Studies of this side effect are still ongoing, and it remains unclear if continued use of HGH could cause full-blown arthritis. A review conducted by Stanford University found that 31 studies of HGH use demonstrated a link between use of synthetic human growth hormone and joint pain. Dr. Randy Horwitz has also found that daily use of HGH will significantly increase your risk for developing swollen or painful joints.

Diabetes

• Diabetes can be a serious side effect of taking human growth hormone. A study conducted by the National Institute on Aging found that healthy men between the ages of 65 and 88 who took HGH for "anti-aging" benefits had a higher incidence of diabetes than men of the same age who were not taking human growth hormone. Eighteen of the 57 men in the study developed diabetes or showed signs of a pre-diabetic condition. In fact, more than 40 percent of the participants in this study reported experiencing adverse effects when taking HGH.

Cardiovascular Problems

• HGH can also contribute to high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries. A study conducted by the drug manufacturer Eli Lilly found that nearly one in 10 adults who were treated with HGH due to a hormone deficiency developed high blood pressure after 18 months of treatment. However, this side effect was not seen in children receiving HGH, so the risk of developing high blood pressure while using human growth hormone may increase with age. It is still unclear how HGH contributes to high blood pressure, but studies conducted by the Garvan Institute of Medical Research have found that human growth hormone may encourage the body to retain sodium.