Human growth hormone, also commonly called HGH and GH, is a protein hormone in the body that is made up of about 190 amino acids. It is created in the pituitary gland and secreted into your bloodstream to play a direct and indirect role in various processes in your body. However, it has two major roles.
Growth
HGH is primarily responsible for helping stimulate growth of bone and tissue from infancy to adulthood. It signals growth plates in the bones to induce bone lengthening and it releases an insulin-like protein to stimulate bone growth, muscle growth and growth of other tissues, according to Genentech. However, HGH isn't the sole hormone involved in growth. Other hormones that come from the pituitary gland -- including luteinizing hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone -- also indirectly help the body develop properly.
Metabolism
HGH helps regulate the metabolism, which is a chemical process that helps the body convert food into tissue, waste and energy. It is involved in building up protein, maintaining stable levels of blood sugar from carbohydrates and breaking down and using fat, according to Colorado State University. It also helps maintain your bone density and ensure that your cholesterol levels are in balance to reduce your risk of problems such as osteoporosis and high cholesterol.
High or Low Levels
A doctor may measure your HGH level if you aren't growing normally or if you have a history of problems with your pituitary gland. If you have too much HGH in your body, you may experience abnormal growth patterns. In adults, this manifests as acromegaly, which means your body tissues continue to grow and you experience symptoms such as enlarged extremities and glands, joint pain, weakness and teeth that are spaced widely apart, according to MedlinePlus. In children, this results in gigantism, which causes large body size and symptoms such as thicker facial features and delayed puberty. Adults with too little HGH may experience altered muscle mass, reduced bone strength and altered cholesterol levels. Children without enough of the hormone may have short stature.
Synthetic HGH
Doctors may prescribe injections of a synthetic version of HGH in cases of a deficiency, but the pituitary gland may also require surgery as growth hormone problems are often caused by a tumor on the gland. In these cases, HGH injections may help increase muscle mass and bone density, reduce body fat and improve physical capacity, according to MayoClinic.com. Some evidence suggests that healthy adults who take HGH can also have increased muscle mass and reduced body fat, but this doesn't necessarily translate to improved strength and exercise capacity, reduced signs of aging or any other health benefits. Additionally, so-called pill forms of HGH are dietary supplements that purport to offer similar physical benefits that HGH injections provide, but no evidence proves these claims to be true.
Side Effects
Healthy adults who take HGH may experience a range of unwanted side effects, including carpal tunnel syndrome, pain in the joints and muscles, swelling in the legs and arms, enlargement of breast tissue in men, and potentially increased risk of heart disease and diabetes, warns MayoClinic.com. These side effects may be more likely in older adults than younger ones, but as of 2011 studies have yet to determine whether the effects would dissipate or simply get worse over time.
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