The human body is made up of over 50 hormones – each of which play an essential role in the overall health and function of the human body. In fact, those 50 hormones are necessary for hundreds of processes and functions inside the body – we wouldn’t survive without them!
Hormones are produced by glands, which are members of the endocrine system. Some of the most prominent glands include the thyroid, adrenal, parathyroid, pancreas, pituitary, thymus, pineal, and hypothalamus. The ovaries (female) and testes (male) also produce hormones.
Since hormones are produced in extremely small amounts, any increase or decrease – no matter how small or large – in hormone levels can result in unwanted symptoms. If left untreated, those symptoms can have a negative impact on an individual’s quality of life.
What is Human Growth Hormone?
One of the most talked about, researched, and studied hormones in the human body is growth hormone – also referred to as human growth hormone, GH, or hGH. It’s produced by the pituitary gland, which is a pea-sized gland located underneath the hypothalamus in your brain.
Once produced, human growth hormone (hGH) is released into the bloodstream where it travels throughout the body. This release occurs every three to five hours and is regulated by two other hormones produced in the pituitary – growth hormone-releasing hormone and somatostatin.
Not only do we naturally produce growth hormone, but doctors often prescribe synthetic hGH to treat chronic growth hormone deficiency. Some bodybuilders and athletes use synthetic growth hormone to improve performance, but research doesn’t support it.
What Does Growth Hormone Do?
Growth hormone plays a major role in growth and development, with levels increasing during childhood and eventually peaking during puberty – much like testosterone in the male body. While hGH production never truly stops, it does start to decline once we hit our 30s and 40s.
During childhood years, hGH is essential to the growth and development of fat, muscle, tissue, cartilage, and bones by triggering the production of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). It also helps improve bone density, which is crucial to preventing osteoporosis and brittle bones.
As we grow older, growth hormone is essential to maintaining body structure (including height) and improving the body’s metabolic process. It helps break down fats, build proteins, conserve sugars, and transport molecules to ensure your body has the nutrients it needs on a daily basis.
Early Warning Signs of Too Much Growth Hormone
While hGH levels peak during puberty, they also tend to increase during exercise, sleep, moments of stress, and when blood glucose levels are low. While this increase is usually normal and shouldn’t be a cause of concern, some people simply produce too much hGH.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common signs of too much hGH in the blood:
- Enlarged hands, feet, or facial features
- Thickened, oily skin
- Sweating more than usual
- Frequent skin tags and tissue outgrowths
- Joint pain, limited mobility in joints
- Unexplained fatigue, weakness
- Deep voice as a result of enlarged vocal chords
- Vision issues and frequent headaches
- Sexual problems (erectil dysfunction, low libido, irregular menstrual cycle)
- Excessive snoring at night
Having abnormally-high levels of hGH for an extended period of time can cause a condition known as acromegaly in adults – where the growth is limited to the face, feet, and hands. High levels of hGH in children can cause a condition known as gigantism, which affects height.
Early Warning Signs of hGH Deficiency
The human body naturally produces less growth hormone as we age – usually as we enter our 30s and 40s. While this is normal and generally won’t result in a depleted quality of life, some people experience abnormally-low levels of hGH and it can have a negative impact on your life.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common signs of too little hGH in the blood:
- Delayed puberty, poor growth, slow tooth development, and/or slow hair growth
- Mood swings, anxiety, depression
- Reduced muscle mass and/or strength
- Heart problems (high cholesterol and triglycerides, insulin resistance)
- Low energy levels, fatigue, exhaustion
- Unexplained weight gain, especially around the waist
- Reduced sexual desire and/or function
- Difficulty concentrating, poor memory, and other mental lapses
Most cases of human growth hormone deficiency are either present at birth, genetic, or caused by an injury or damage to the pituitary gland. While it’s often much more serious in children – considering how important it is to growth and development – it’s concerning for adults as well.
How to Treat Growth Hormone Deficiency
For those with abnormally-low growth hormone levels, scheduling an appointment with a hormone specialist can help identify the cause and determine a proven treatment plan to normalize hGH levels. As a result, your symptoms will subside and might even be eliminated.
Treatment for hGH deficiency usually involves the use of synthetic growth hormone via regular injections – daily, in most cases. There are some newer weekly growth hormone injections available. Patients take the injections for several years, unless directed otherwise by your healthcare provider.
Taking growth hormone therapy is recommended for anyone that experiences a depleted quality of life due to their childhood or adult growth hormone deficiency or if the deficiency limits their ability to grow and develop properly. There are some side effects, but a hormone doctor can help you cope with and overcome them.
What Can HGHMeds Do for You?
Are you experiencing symptoms of growth hormone deficiency or excess hGH levels? Are your abnormal GH levels negatively impacting your ability to live a happy, healthy, and quality life? Do you believe you’re a quality candidate for growth hormone therapy? If so, then contact us!
At HGHMeds, we have the extreme pleasure of providing people like you with quality, high grade, pharmacy grade growth hormones injections. To learn more about our services and how our hGH injections and growth hormone treatment can help improve your life, contact our office right away.
