Growth hormone is a protein produced in the pituitary glands made up of 191 amino acids, notes Colorado State University. Growth hormone is essential for a number of bodily functions, including growth and metabolism especially in the formative years. Both naturally-occurring growth hormone and man-made varieties of growth hormone are presently available in the market. Understanding the dominant kinds of growth hormone will help individuals make treatment and supplementation choices.
Natural Growth Hormone
Natural growth hormone generally refers to human growth hormone, also popularly referred to as HGH. The Better Health Channel notes that naturally-occurring human growth hormone levels are essential for bone growth, muscle growth and overall height levels and prompting the liver to produce IGF-1.
This is considered the ideal form of growth hormone, notes the Better Health Channel, as it is free from unwanted side effects. However, the Better Health Channel also notes that patients should be sure of the source of any natural growth hormone supplement, as past practices included harvesting the hormone from cadavers, which resulted in Creutzfiedt-Jakobs diseases in some cases.
Somatrem
According to Drugs.com, another form of growth hormone on the market is somatrem. The site notes that somatrem is made from recombinant DNA techniques to resequence exactly the same 191 amino acids that occur in natural growth hormone. However, somatrem contains a 192nd amino acid, methionine. According to Drugs.com, this form of growth hormone is used as a long-term treatment for naturally-occurring growth hormone deficiency or pituitary disorders.
Somatropin
With more than 22 different brand name products claiming it as a central or sole ingredient, somatropin is a popular synthetic substitute for naturally-occurring growth hormone according to Drugs.com. Somatropin has a variety of standard market uses for those with ailments related to naturally-occurring human growth hormone deficiencies, including treatments for both adults and children.
Somatropin is also used to address a number of medical issues. For example, according to Drugs.com, somatropin is administered to AIDS patients who are experiencing weight loss and to those who have short bowel syndrome. Drugs.com notes that it can also be used to treat those who have chronic kidney failure. Those with diabetes or Prader-Will syndrome on somatropin need to monitor their dosages for additional side effects, as do those who are combining somatropin with steroid medications according to Drugs.com.
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