Human Growth Hormone

Human growth hormone is arguably one of the newest compounds used by athletes and bodybuilders looking to improve their physique and athletic performance.

First, it's important to clarify that human growth hormone is not an anabolic steroid.

Human growth hormone is a substance known as a protein hormone (or peptide hormone) that is naturally produced endogenously in the human body and secreted by the pituitary gland.

Neurosecretory cells in the hypothalamus release a hormone called GHRH (growth hormone releasing hormone, aka somatotropin) and another hormone called GHIH (growth hormone inhibiting hormone) to the pituitary gland, which stores human growth hormone and releases it into the bloodstream.

Human growth hormone belongs to the somatotropin family of protein hormones and is closely related to prolactin, a hormone in the same somatotropin family.

The entire somatotropin family includes CSH1, CSH2, CSHL1, human growth hormone (HGH), prolactin (PRL), and hGH-V.

Human growth hormone is composed of 191 amino acids.

As its name suggests, human growth hormone is a hormone that plays a role in a variety of growth mechanisms and functions in the human body.

However, the activity of human growth hormone is not limited to these functions; it also regulates certain aspects of metabolism and has a myriad of other functions and effects on various processes in the body, including cell renewal and growth, healing and repair, and more.

While many of the functions of human growth hormone are well understood, there are also properties and functions that are not as well known or understood.

The main effects of human growth hormone on the body's growth functions span three main areas: bone growth, skeletal muscle growth, growth of internal organs, and healing/growth/repair of connective tissues such as tendons, ligaments, and joints.

Effects on metabolism include supporting the efficient functioning of protein, carbohydrate, fat, and vitamin/mineral metabolism.

In the medical community, human growth hormone has been successfully used as a treatment for many different types of disorders and diseases.

One of the earliest medical uses of human growth hormone was in the treatment of pituitary deficiency dwarfism, a condition in which a person fails to grow properly due to a lack of endogenous human growth hormone production.

This most often occurs in childhood or adolescence, and synthetic human growth hormone is administered to stimulate as much growth as possible before mid-adolescence, when growth potential is increasingly limited.

It is also used for similar conditions in adults.

Medically, human growth hormone is also used to treat adults who are deficient in human growth hormone, in which case synthetic exogenous human growth hormone is administered to restore levels to a normal range, preferably that of a younger adult, thereby restoring youthfulness and producing the anti-aging effects for which human growth hormone is often credited.

Finally, exogenous human growth hormone therapy is used to treat AIDS/HIV-related muscle wasting (or as a result of many other diseases).

There are also other conditions that human growth hormone is utilized to treat, such as promoting faster healing in burn victims.

History of human growth hormone

Somatropin is the name of a synthetic human growth hormone synthesized through recombinant DNA (rDNA) synthesis technology in which the genetic code (i.e., blueprint) for producing GH is inserted.

It is then infected into a petri dish containing a strain of E. coli bacteria (the genetic code is injected/inserted into the bacteria by a virus).

In essence, the bacteria are now 'tricked' into producing human growth hormone according to their new genetic programming.

The resulting somatropin (rHGH, aka recombinant human growth hormone) is 100% identical to the human growth hormone produced endogenously by the pituitary gland in all humans.

There is absolutely no difference between rHGH and naturally produced endogenous human growth hormone.

This is how human growth hormone is manufactured today, and it has been used for the synthetic manufacture of all kinds of complex proteins and protein hormones since Genentech[1] successfully engineered recombinant DNA synthesis technology in 1979.

However, before the 1980s, human growth hormone was not manufactured and used in this way.

The first human growth hormone preparations before rDNA technology in the 1980s used human growth hormone extracted from the pituitary gland of a human cadaver.

Using this technique, it was possible to successfully extract 1 mg of human growth hormone from a cadaver's pituitary gland.

The first use of human growth hormone extracted from cadavers was published in 1958 [2].

Shortly thereafter, cadaver-derived human growth hormone was used commercially until 1985, when rDNA technology replaced it.

More importantly, however, the FDA's decision to ban cadaver-derived human growth hormone in 1985 was due to the fact that the extraction process was unable to filter out 100% of all other contaminants.

As a result, various batches of cadaver-derived human growth hormone were found to be contaminated with prions (certain misfolded proteins that cause neurological damage), which eventually led to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).

This disease is a very fatal brain disorder that has killed several patients who were being treated with human growth hormone.

Approximately 26 of the patients who received cadaver-derived human growth hormone developed CJD [3].

Shortly thereafter, rDNA technology was developed, as mentioned earlier, and this synthetic approach made it possible to create 100% pure hormone products that were completely free of contaminants.

The first commercially available synthetic rDNA human growth hormone preparations are known as somatrem and protropin.

Although protropin differed from human growth hormone due to slight differences in peptide structure, it was almost 100% identical and had the same effects in the body.

In 1987, the Swedish pharmaceutical company Vitrum developed the first synthetic human growth hormone molecule that was 100% identical to the human growth hormone naturally produced in the body [4].

Growth hormone effects in different tissues

Growth hormone has a variety of effects.

Growth hormone has been found to act anabolically in muscle tissue, increasing both the size (hypertrophy) and number (proliferation) of muscle cells.

An interesting fact about human growth hormone is that because newly created muscle cells are permanent, the increase in the number of muscle cells (hyperplasia) is more likely to be permanent (to some extent) than the increase in the size of muscle cells (hypertrophy), making the ability to produce much more hyperplasia than hypertrophy very advantageous for athletes and bodybuilders.

The size increase caused by hyperplasia is maintained indefinitely after this growth effect.

Human growth hormone also has the effect of promoting cell renewal, regrowth, and healing in all cell types in the human body, except for most cells in the eyes and brain.

This is helpful for people who are suffering from debilitating illnesses or diseases with the potential for organ failure, but for whom organ transplantation is not an ideal option.

For example, through its ability to regenerate and grow cells, human growth hormone can be used to effectively treat kidney failure or liver failure, or at least maintain the normal function of these organs.

This is a perfect example of why human growth hormone typically makes organs larger (due to increased cell growth), and also explains why patients with various organ failures typically have much smaller organs than people with healthy organ function (due to extensive cell death of organ cells).

The metabolic effects of human growth hormone include a major effect of shifting the body's preferred energy source from carbohydrates to lipids (fats).

As a result, the use of human growth hormone typically results in an increase in blood sugar levels (known as the diabetogenic effect).

Of course, this effect is dose-dependent and directly correlates to the amount of human growth hormone you take.

Excessive doses or duration of human growth hormone use can lead to type 2 diabetes.

However, by shifting body fat away from carbohydrates as a preferred energy source, fat loss can be quite dramatic, and cholesterol levels can be reduced as a result.

Users should also be aware that human growth hormone tends to deplete potassium, phosphorus, and sodium levels (it is recommended to adequately supplement these minerals, especially if human growth hormone doses are high).

Additionally, human growth hormone tends to lower circulating levels of thyroid hormone (T3), which can temporarily disrupt metabolism.

Again, this is a dose-dependent effect.

Overall, human growth hormone acts on receptors located in muscle, cells, bone, and adipose tissue, signaling these different cell and tissue types to engage in growth and fat loss.

It also has effects on metabolism, including increasing gluconeogenesis (the production of glucose) in the liver (liver) and preventing cells from using this fuel source instead of lipids.

In fact, the effects of human growth hormone are all governed by IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1), which is essentially a protein hormone.

GH travels to the liver, where it signals hepatocytes to begin the production and secretion of IGF-1, an extremely potent growth hormone that has been proven to be extremely anabolic in muscle tissue.

However, it's important to understand that IGF-1 has the exact opposite properties and effects of human growth hormone (for example, IGF-1 tends to increase fat retention and increase anabolism (the consumption of glucose as fuel)).

Controversy over the effectiveness of human growth hormone

Whether or not human growth hormone is really effective in improving physique and athletic performance, and whether or not it can really be a worthwhile endeavor and investment for those looking to improve their physique and athletic performance, is a hotly debated topic.

We'll discuss this in more detail in the Human Growth Hormone Doses and Cycles section of this profile, but several studies have shown that human growth hormone use actually leads to modest gains in body weight and lean body mass,[5][6][7] but is not good for strength gains.

It has also been demonstrated that human growth hormone alone (when not used in conjunction with anabolic steroids) typically only results in dramatic fat loss, and that to experience dramatic muscle mass gains, human growth hormone must be used in conjunction with anabolic steroids or used for a long period of time (at least 6 months of consistent use).

Studies of AIDS/HIV patients receiving human growth hormone have shown significant anabolic effects in these patients.

However, it's important to consider that studies in healthy adults may yield distinctly different results than studies in frail HIV/AIDS patients.

Considered the most powerful anabolic compounds when they first gained popularity in the 1980s, there were many misconceptions, myths, and rumors about the properties and use of anabolic steroids.

Compared to 30 years ago, human growth hormone is increasingly better understood today, and all clinical studies conducted since then have shown that the myths of the 1980s are not true.

As a result, growth hormone is widely used today due to the dramatic fat loss effects that are seen shortly after initial use.

As mentioned earlier, to experience anabolic effects on muscle tissue, it must be used consistently for at least 6 months (due to the slow and steady buildup of HGH and IGF-1 in the body).

Therefore, the general conclusion about human growth hormone is that it is considered a much weaker performance and physique enhancing substance than anabolic steroids and must be used in a very specific way to achieve muscle growth and strength gains.

Basically, human growth hormone is a compound that should only be used by advanced athletes and bodybuilders and is considered useless for beginners.

The reason for this is that most advanced anabolic steroid users have trained and progressed until they reach a certain 'dead end', no matter what effort or compound they use.

This is usually because the individual has reached their genetic potential.

Growth hormone can help get past these 'dead ends' and should therefore be considered an advanced compound in the arsenal of highly skilled athletes.

Human Growth Hormone Side Effects

As one of the most popular life-enhancing supplements, human growth hormone is becoming increasingly popular in the bodybuilding and athletic world.

The main reason for this is the basic effects that human growth hormone provides to the average person.

When you sleep at night, one of the most important sleep processes is the release of HGH, which promotes the recovery, growth, and expansion of muscles and various tissues in the body.

It is unique in that it is a hormone that does not fall into the category of estrogen or androgen.

In other words, it is not sex-specific.

This means that whether you're male or female, you can reap the benefits of HGH equally regardless of your gender.

This makes HGH a very beneficial and enjoyable hormone because it can provide many benefits to both men and women, regardless of how it is used.

And again, it's not a steroid or androgenic hormone, it's just a peptide or protein hormone.

This is an important distinction because some people think they have no side effects.

While there are always side effects and interactions to watch out for when using any kind of hormone, it's important to note that in the case of HGH, it's very unique and very specific.

It's also important to note that HGH can work synergistically with other substances.

One of the main functions of HGH in the body is to stimulate and promote the growth and division of cells and tissues.

Taking androgenic substances with certain side effects can cause these processes to occur at a faster rate.

So, if you're afraid of a condition like gynecomastia, it's important to note that HGH can actually speed up the growth of the fatty tissue associated with gynecomastia.

So, if you're planning to use any substance, make sure that it can cause the symptoms you want, and if you're planning to use it in combination with other substances, make sure that HGH can help rather than harm.

In addition to these general concerns, there are also some very common symptoms that you may experience when you decide to use HGH.

HGH Joint Pain

One of the most common problems is joint pain.

If you're new to HGH, you may wonder why a substance that promotes healthy joints would cause joint pain.

In order for new joints to form, they need to expand and move into place.

This is something that HGH definitely promotes, but because new tissue is growing, HGH can cause pain in the joint as it develops.

It's important to note that even if your joints are sore, it's temporary, not permanent.

Once the new tissue has grown and calcified, you will no longer have to worry about pain, but this is literally just the initial growing pains of trying new substances and experiencing new growth.

Water Retention and Swelling

In addition to the pain associated with HGH, it is not uncommon to experience a lot of water retention and swelling in the joint area.

This is because substances that increase fluid retention are very common when taking HGH.

This seems to be a very common symptom of IGF-1 or any HGH-related protein hormone.

It is important to note that pain tends to occur at extreme doses, and that this is not an indication of an overdose, but rather a symptom of taking an effective dose all at once rather than gradually.

Tolerance should be individually assessed before using HGH.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is usually caused by water retention.

This is because excess fluid compresses the joint, causing tingling and pain in the area.

While this is not a typical case of carpal tunnel, which is caused by overuse and overstimulation of the muscles/tendons in that area of the wrist, the extreme pressure from excess fluid can very closely replicate that feeling, causing the same pain and weakness in the wrist.

HGH use with aromatizing steroids

Although we mentioned that gynecomastia does not necessarily occur with HGH use, in extremely rare cases, gynecomastia can result from HGH use.

There are two possibilities for this to happen.

One is if the use of HGH in combination with aromatizing steroids speeds up the development of gynecomastia.

Aside from that, it is also possible that you simply become very sensitive by using HGH.

However, as with most drugs, you can offset this effect by using an aromatase inhibitor to bring your estrogen levels back down to a lower level and reduce the likelihood of gynecomastia.

But remember, if the breast tissue is severe enough, that alone won't reduce your symptoms.

That's when surgery is needed to remove the excess tissue, but AI can be used to reduce breast tissue before it becomes hard.

However, you can take preventative measures by using a SERM like Nolvadex, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, to reduce your chances of developing gynecomastia.

Remember, in addition to harmful or unsightly symptoms, there are other side effects of hormone use.

One of the most interesting side effects of HGH, growth in the hands, feet, and other bony areas, is very real.

This is because HGH is naturally released by the body to stimulate growth.

For example, if you compare a photo of you as a child to a photo of you as an adult, there are obvious physical differences in the frame.

This is because the HGH secreted by your body over time has induced physical changes.

This is also true in adulthood, so you will definitely notice physical changes if you use HGH as an adult.

However, they will not be immediately noticeable regardless of the dosage.

It is a gradual physical change that varies somewhat from person to person.

Insulin sensitivity and hypoglycemia

However, there is definitely a physical change that you should be more aware of.

Namely, you should know that taking HGH can increase blood sugar levels and decrease insulin sensitivity.

This means that your body is no longer as responsive, and when blood sugar levels rise, it doesn't produce the signaling hormone (insulin) that sends blood sugar to your muscles or where it's needed.

This is a dangerous combination, but in the short term, reduced insulin sensitivity or low blood sugar isn't necessarily harmful.

However, you should be very careful and vigilant when using HGH in this way because it can have bad long-term consequences.

Even if you have a history of diabetes or insulin sensitivity, you may still be at risk if you experiment with HGH or take it as a supplement.

Organ and tissue growth

Finally, one of the most well-known symptoms of HGH is its ability to increase the size of the body's organs.

While this may sound like an interesting side effect, it's actually one of the reasons why HGH can have permanent harmful effects on the body.

This side effect should be avoided if possible, but if it does occur, it's something to be aware of.

This is because most people don't know the proper dosage when faced with this situation.

Using excessive amounts of HGH over a long period of time can lead to intestinal distension.

However, if you are aware of these side effects and use the hormone properly, you can reap many benefits in terms of recovery and growth.

Human growth hormone administration and uses

Human growth hormone (HGH) is a hormone that is commonly injected, and the injection site can be under the skin or into the muscle.

When injected under the skin, it has a very high bioavailability rate of over 75%.

When injected directly into the muscle, the bioavailability is slightly lower, but still potent in terms of effectiveness.

When injected through the skin, the half-life is about 4 hours, and when injected into the muscle, the half-life is about 5 hours.

This is not a long half-life by any means, but keep in mind that the effects of the hormone itself go far beyond the half-life figure.

This is mainly due to the initiation of IGF-1, a byproduct of the HGH signal in the body.

In most cases, HGH is used because of its highly effective therapeutic properties.

When following a therapeutic dosing schedule with treatment in mind, the standard dosage is somewhere between 1 to 3 IU per day.

Occasionally, therapists will increase the dosage to 4IU, but this is not common.

To be safe, most doses can be considered around 1 IU.

1IU is basically the standard dose for people following an anti-aging protocol.

Athletes, on the other hand, can take much more liberal doses.

Athletes' doses can be seen in the 2-4 IU range, which is because athletes want to maximize their recovery and recovery benefits from using HGH.

Those looking to improve their physique will also focus on this kind of dosage.

It also promotes fat loss and muscle building.

Most HGH users will often stack it with other androgens to further enhance the muscle-building effects.

Women who use HGH for this purpose usually maintain a dosage of 1-2 IU daily.

The aforementioned dosage will bring you a lot of benefits and you will undoubtedly notice a noticeable performance boost.

In most cases, athletic performance is not directly enhanced by HGH, but rather by the enhanced recovery that an individual will enjoy as a result of HGH.

For a typical male, 6 to 8 IU of HGH is required for immediate athletic performance gains.

However, the dosage should be balanced as the side effects can be very unpleasant if the amount required is far exceeded.

For women who want to achieve the same effects, a dosage in the range of 3-4 IU is ideal.

In fact, no matter how much you take, don't expect to see dramatic results with HGH overnight.

This is not a drug that will turn you into a monster in a week.

It will take a long time to really see the visible effects of using HGH, but it's undoubtedly an awesome product to experiment with for amazing results.

When it comes to usage, you have to decide whether you want to use it for a long period of time or not at all.

If you decide to only take it for a very short period of time, HGH will be virtually useless to you.

This is because for HGH to really have any benefits, you need to take it for a long time.

Otherwise, you won't feel anything.

To lose fat and recover better, you need to use it consistently for about 8-12 weeks, but the ideal period is 16-18 weeks.

If you want to see extreme anabolic progress, you'll need to use therapeutic doses of HGH for about half a year.

If you simply want anti-aging effects, you should use it indefinitely or at least year-round.

Overall, HGH is a very effective substance, but its effectiveness is highly dependent on the proper dosage.