Human Growth Hormone (HGH) Side Effects

What is HGH
Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is a naturally occurring hormone in a healthy human body. HGH is produced by the pituitary gland situated deep inside the brain, just behind the eyes. It is responsible for proper growth and development in all humans. Normal growth in children is dependent on the proper secretion of HGH and once adulthood is reached it plays an important role in metabolism.

It is a well-known fact that HGH is responsible for a person growing taller, but there are other areas where HGH helps in human development. HGH is proven to reverse muscle wasting in persons suffering from AIDS. It is claimed (not yet proven) that HGH supplements slow down the ageing process making one live longer.

How is HGH made
HGH is today made of advent genetic engineering which is a complex procedure. A few decades ago HGH was made by removing the pituitary gland from dead bodies and processing it. The processed hormones were injected into HGH deficient persons.

What is HGH used for
HGH today need not be given by your doctor as an injection. They are available as pills and nasal sprays.

HGH is helpful for children with HGH deficiency. This deficiency keeps their growth stunted. HGH supplements help them grow normally. This treatment will not be of any use to a stunted child who has got a normal secretion of HGH, but is stunted due to some other reason.

Many athletes have taken to using HGH for its claimed muscle building and stamina increasing properties.

The use of HGH has increased of late since advertisers make you believe that HGH is the magic potion that can cure a vast variety of ailments. Many fall for these false and unproved claims and take HGH without any medical consultation. It is very possible that such people will suffer from some side effects, not benefiting at all.

Side Effects of HGH
Use of HGH under medical supervision for HGH deficiency is safe and will have few side effects. The risk of side effects increase when HGH is taken in higher doses without any medical supervision.

The most common side effect of the excess use of HGH is acromegaly. This is a medical condition that begins with the overgrowth of facial bone and connective tissue, leading to a changed appearance due to protruding jaw and eyebrow bones. This condition also leads to an abnormal growth of the hands and feet with an increased growth of hair all over the body. Contrary to increasing your life, this condition will shorten life expectancy considerably.

Mentioned here are just some of the known side effects of the undue use of HGH.
-- Acromegaly (as described in detail above)
-- Premature death (in case of acromegaly)
-- Heart enlargement (due to prolonged use of HGH. Can't be reversed)
-- Low blood sugar with risk of going into a diabetic coma
-- Excessive hair growth all over the body
-- Excessive water retention
-- Liver damage
-- Thyroid damage

HGH from reputed manufacturers are safe if used under proper supervision, but they come with a small disadvantage; they are expensive. Many who take HGH without supervision buy spurious products that come at a lower price. The side effects of indiscriminate use of HGH is bad, and it just gets worse when counterfeit products are used. Persons who share needles to inject themselves with HGH are at a high risk of transmission of blood-borne viruses (the deadliest and most common being the AIDS virus).

Beware of Beneficial Claims of HGH Made by Quacks
Many HGH marketers will make you believe that HGH can solve a variety of human deficiencies. They claim that taking HGH supplements will strengthen your immune system, grow thick hair on a bald head, build muscle fast making you look like a bodybuilder, increase your stamina and improve your sex life, improve your memory like never before, improve your vision to perfection, burn down fat without exercising or giving up your favorite junk foods; this list can just go on and on. If all these claims were true, there would be no illness around, everyone would have the perfect body without doing anything and we would all be living in a world where nothing could be made more perfect.

All these claims are usually made to sell HGH supplements that are very expensive and would not sell otherwise.

Are the risks involved in taking HGH supplements worth it? Is it not advisable to maintain a healthy lifestyle with a proper diet and exercise instead?