Produced in the frontal section of the pituitary gland, human growth hormone stimulates growth during childhood and helps in maintenance of bodily tissues throughout adulthood when present at normal levels. Synthetic human growth hormone (HGH), which most commonly comes in injection versus pill form, is available by valid prescription only to treat deficiencies in the natural production of the substance by the body. In recent years, some have turned to HGH as a possible method of combating certain signs of aging, though benefit in this area is yet to be found conclusive.
Purpose
The endocrine system, in which the pituitary is a part, is subject to dysfunction that can impair proper production and utilization of the hormones produced. When natural production of growth hormone is interrupted, either by genetic or developed disease conditions, the results can vary. Symptoms may range from abnormally short stature to lack of mature reproductive development to dangerously low muscle mass and bone density leading to conditions such as osteoporosis. In such cases, prescriptive HGH may be the key to returning healthy function and quality of life to a patient.
Side Effects
Though a proven form of therapy for specific conditions, injections of synthetic HGH are not without side effects, and therefore a qualified physician should monitor use. HGH can increase muscle mass, which at times translates to inflation of the breast tissue in males who regularly receive injections. Other general side effects have included pain in the muscles and joints, heavy water retention that causes swelling in the limbs, baldness and increased acne. In addition to these, the development of high blood pressure, diabetes related to insulin resistance and increased susceptibility to heart disease have been found to be tied to HGH usage.
Norditropin
This synthetic form of HGH was first approved in 1987 for both children and adults suffering growth hormone deficiency and is available by injection in dosages from 5 mg to 30 mg. Among common reactions are frequent headaches, skin rash and acute fat tissue loss at injection site, carpal tunnel syndrome, development of low thyroid function, high blood pressure in the cranium, brain tumor and retinal blood vessel damage, as well as death in some cases where there are other contributing health factors. It should be noted that given the nature of why a patient might be prescribed Norditropin, there are often other health factors to take into account.
Saizen
Also known as Somatropin, is designed to identically mimic the primary form of human growth hormone that is biologically produced in the pituitary gland and is often combined with bacteriostatic water (water mixed with benzyl alcohol) for injection. In studies of children and adults taking the injections, many adverse effects have been noted, of varying levels of frequency. These include hypoglycemia, allergic skin reaction at injection site, decrease in skin sensitivity to touch or pain, seizure, nausea, pins and needle-like skin sensations, dizziness and respiratory tract infection, among other symptoms.
Long-term Effects
Though there are medically necessary reasons for taking HGH by injection, acute side effects pose a significant risk that may do more harm than good, especially in cases where use is not medically sound. HGH and substances that work like it in pill form are now available through some online websites without a prescription, the danger of which is more than the myriad of effects noted here. One common result of synthetic supplementation is that the body stops naturally producing the substance being supplemented--which means those without deficiency who inject HGH without physician care may end up with deficiency and the host of health problems that comes with such a diagnosis.
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