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Side Effects of HGH & IGF-1

Aug 18, 2011 | By Tomas Linnaeus
Side Effects of HGH & IGF-1
Photo Credit Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

Human growth hormone, HGH, and insulin-like growth factor 1, IGF-1, play an important role in development and healing. These two substances are related as increasing HGH also increases IGF-1, according to a February 2010 review in the "Italian Journal of Pediatrics." Synthetic forms of both hormones have become widely available. Physicians use these substances to treat patients, and athletes abuse them to gain a competitive edge. Sports agencies have banned HGH and IGF-1 as performance aids due to safety concerns.

HGH Increases Inflammation

Human growth hormone consists of several distinct -- but similar -- chemicals. Scientists refer to these distinct substances by their molecular weight. Each type of growth hormone appears to have unique properties, according to a June 2010 report in the "International Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology." The 22 kilodalton chemical often causes side effects such as swelling. An investigation published in the 2004 volume of the "Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism" determined whether the 20 kilodalton chemical produced adverse events as well. Patients with growth-hormone deficiency received daily injections of HGH for four months. This treatment increased IGF-1 and insulin. It also increased lean body mass. Many patients, however, experienced swelling in their arms and legs.

HGH Causes Joint Pain

People infected with the human immunodeficiency virus have difficulty maintaining their weight. Moreover, medications treating HIV often cause increases in body fat. Growth hormone can help resolve these issues, according to a July 2007 report in the "Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases." Yet, the benefits of HGH may come at a cost. A paper in the November 2007 issue of "Clinical Therapeutics" reviewed studies testing the effectiveness of growth hormone in HIV patients. At least 30 percent of the participants in these reports experienced either muscle or joint pain during hormone therapy. Many patients also experienced diabetic symptoms such as elevations in blood sugar.

IGF-1 Elevates Blood Sugar

Insulin-like growth factor 1 also affects body composition. An anabolic hormone, IGF-1 stimulates muscle growth in laboratory animals. A July 2011 article in "Endocrinology" showed that injecting mice with IGF-1 increased their body size and muscle mass. The authors observed no evidence of IGF-1 toxicity in this report, but other studies have shown that the hormone causes unwanted side effects. A clinical trial offered in the 2007 volume of the "Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism" tested the effects of replacement therapy with IGF-1 in children. Participants received twice daily doses of the hormone for several years. About half the kids experienced brief episodes of hypoglycemia. This elevation in blood sugar caused seizures in a few cases.

IGF-1 Causes Headaches

Unusually small children often develop health problems as adults. Genetic defects in the IGF-1 system might underlie short stature, according to a July 2011 report in "Hormone Research in Pediatrics." This finding suggests that IGF-1 might prove useful in increasing height. A study presented in the 2010 volume of the "Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism" tested this hypothesis in children with low levels of IGF-1. Twice daily injections for a year significantly increased the patients' height. This treatment, however, also caused headaches in nearly 40 percent of the kids. Nearly 25 percent of the children also reported feelings of nausea.

References

Article reviewed by David Fisher Last updated on: Aug 18, 2011

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