Human Growth Hormone (HGH) Side Effects

It is a well-known fact that human growth hormone (HGH) plays a crucial role in an individual's height, but there also exist other areas of human development wherein the growth hormone has an equally important role to play. In fact, HGH is proven to reverse muscle wasting in individuals suffering from AIDS. It is also claimed (though not yet proven) that HGH supplements slow down the aging process, thus making one live longer. Even though the medical fraternity is divided over this, it is this very 'attribute' which has brought about a surge in the use of HGH supplements. As most of the people who use HGH supplements for 'living longer' or ' to look younger' don't do it under medical supervision, the cases of negative effects of HGH have also increased over the course of time.

What is Human Growth Hormone (HGH)?

Human growth hormone is a naturally occurring hormone which is responsible for proper growth and physical development. It is produced and secreted by the pituitary gland located at the base of the brain, right behind our eyes. Normal growth in children is dependent on the proper secretion of HGH. While the growth and development of human body happens to be the most important function of HGH in the childhood, in adulthood this hormone plays an important role in metabolism.

From its use as a treatment option for 'HGH deficiency' back in the first half of 20th century, this hormone has come a long way to become one of the most popular performance enhancing drug and steroid in the world. The advent of genetic engineering has made several seemingly impossible things possible, and the production of synthetic human growth hormone in the laboratory is an apt example of this. Earlier, the only means of obtaining it was to process it from the pituitary glands which were removed from the dead bodies.

What is HGH Used For?

HGH is helpful for children with HGH deficiency - a condition which keeps their growth stunted. HGH supplements, which are available in form of injections, pills and spray, help these children grow normally. (This treatment is of no use to a stunted child who has got a normal secretion of HGH, but is stunted due to some other reason.) Many athletes resort to HGH for its alleged muscle-building and stamina increasing properties. The use of HGH supplements has increased manifolds over the last few decades, and the credit for this goes to the hordes of advertisements wherein HGH is claimed to be magic potion with the ability to cure a vast variety of ailments.

What are the Side Effects of Taking HGH?

Even though the claims made by manufacturers are either outright false or yet to be proven, it hasn't stopped people from resorting to its use. What people don't realize is the fact that they are making themselves vulnerable to the adverse effects of human growth hormone by falling for these claims made by the companies. While the use of HGH under medical supervision for HGH deficiency is usually considered safe, it doesn't rule out the chances of side effects altogether. But obviously, under medical supervision there are very few side effects which are likely to occur. However, the risk of side effects increases by manifolds when HGH is taken in higher doses and/or without any medical supervision.

The most common side effect of HGH overuse is acromegaly - 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 the claims which say that HGH helps you live longer, acromegaly in fact shortens your lifespan considerably.

Mentioned here are 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, which 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 in the body.
• Thyroid damage
• Liver damage
• Joint pain
• Increased hunger
• Abnormal fat distribution
• Gynecomastia (enlarged breasts in males)
• Extended belly
• Carpal tunnel syndrome

HGH supplements from reputed manufacturers are considered safe when used under proper supervision, but they are quite expensive. Due to this, many people who take to HGH without consulting a doctor 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. Individuals 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 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Beware of Beneficial Claims of HGH Made by Quacks

Many HGH manufacturers will make you believe that HGH can solve a variety of human deficiencies. They claim that taking HGH supplements will (i) strengthen your immune system, (ii) grow thick hair on a bald head, (iii) build muscle fast making you look like a bodybuilder, (iv) increase your stamina and improve your sex life, (v) improve your memory like never before, (vi) improve your vision to perfection, (vii) 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 have been no illnesses in the world. Everyone would have been in perfect health with regular use of HGH supplements - which is not the case. All these claims are usually made to sell HGH supplements that are very expensive, as the manufacturers very well know that they won't be able to sell their 'products' without marketing them 'properly'.

Other than taking these side effects of HGH supplements into consideration, one should also spare a thought to some important questions when contemplating the use of these supplements. 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? How safe is the therapeutic use of human growth hormone? Numerous questions about the credibility of HGH supplements are yet to be answered. While we may or may not get the answers to these questions in the future, as of now all the evidence points out at the fact that HGH supplements are overhyped products which have the tendency to have quite a few adverse effects on the human body.