Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy

Human growth hormone therapy, or simply HGH therapy, is used to treat persons with human growth hormone deficiency. This medical condition is distinguished by low production of growth hormone, also known as Somatotropin. The disease manifests differently at different ages. It is most common in children where it includes complications such as hypoglycemia, micropenis and growth failure. In adults, the deficiency features diminished lean body mass, poor bone density and numerous other physical and psychological symptoms. The benefits of treatment are obvious in persons with a long-standing deficiency of growth hormone. However, human growth therapy is in the center of numerous social and ethical controversies, for about half a century.

Human Growth Hormone (HGH)

Human growth hormone is secreted from the pituitary gland. The main purpose of this hormone is to stimulate growth and cell reproduction and regeneration. The greatest levels of growth hormone are leased by the body during the adolescence. Even in the adult years, the body continues releasing the hormone during sleep. As we grow older, the natural human growth hormone levels are starting to decline.

Human Growth Hormone Therapy

Growth hormone is also used as a prescription drug, primarily for the patients with growth hormone deficiency. Between 1960 and 1985, this hormone was extracted from human pituitary glands for therapy of deficient children. Growth hormone is nowadays produced by recombinant DNA technology. The recombinant human growth hormone is chemically identical to the growth hormone produced naturally by the body. The growth hormone therapy is also approved to treat adults who have true growth hormone deficiency. This doesn’t apply to patients who have the expected decline in growth hormone due to aging. In adults, human growth hormone is helpful to increase bone density and muscle mass. It is also approved to treat AIDS or HIV related muscle wasting.

Human Growth Hormone Controversy

The real controversy about this medicine started not so long ago, when scientists found the evidence that human growth hormone helps in losing weight and slows down the aging process. The medicine is legally available from pharmacies in the United States, by prescription from a doctor. However, this kind of use of human growth hormone has not been tested in a clinical trial. This complex hormone may have serious impacts on human health, and we yet do not know much about it. Unfortunately, some doctors have already started to prescribe growth hormone in adult patients to increase their vitality. However, it isn't clear if human growth hormone may provide any benefits to healthy adults.