Human growth hormone, also known as hGH or GH, is one of the over 50 hormones that ensure proper health and function of the human body. It’s produced by the pituitary gland, which is part of the endocrine system and is located at the base of the brain under the hypothalamus.
The pituitary gland, also known as the ‘master gland,’ is responsible for producing and releasing more than just growth hormone. For example, it also produces thyroid-stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin, and luteinizing hormones.
Although the body naturally produces growth hormone and will never totally stop producing it, the production slowly starts to decline once we turn 30 years old. This decline is very normal and, for the most part, won’t be accompanied by any unwanted symptoms or require treatment.
With that said, some people suffer from human growth hormone deficiency and it can result in a number of negative health consequences if not treated. It can affect both children and adults, but everyone has a different experience with it. Luckily, hGH replacement therapy can help treat it.
What is hGH Therapy?
Human growth hormone therapy generally involves replacing natural hGH with recombinant growth hormone by way of injection or by increasing levels of insulin-like growth factor. To determine if a patient is a quality candidate for hGH therapy, they’ll take into account their age, medical history, severity of the deficiency, and preference.
Most people that go through with GH therapy will take either daily or weekly injections for several years. hGH prescriptions are only available if given to you by a healthcare professional – taking hGH without a medical need can result in a wide range of complications.
Patients can choose to administer the injections themselves, have their parents do it, or have a trained doctor do it. Throughout the treatment process, your hormone specialist will order blood tests to monitor progress and keep an eye on cholesterol, blood sugar, and bone density.
What is the Best Age to Start Growth Hormone Treatment?
Although every patient is different and treatment won’t be the same for everyone, most doctors agree the earlier you start growth hormone treatment, the better. Whether the patient is a newborn, child, or adult, getting started with growth hormone treatment right away is crucial.
For children with idiopathic short stature, starting the treatment as early as possible can increase their chances of growing and developing normally to a normal adult height. For adults, early growth hormone treatment can reduce and maybe even eliminate any symptoms you feel as a result of the growth hormone deficiency.
In addition to replacing natural hGH with recombinant human growth hormone, your hormone specialist will likely direct you to exercise more, follow a regular sleeping pattern, eat a well-balanced diet, and make several other lifestyle changes to help naturally increase the natural levels of growth hormone.
Early Warning Signs of Growth Hormone Deficiency
If the primary goal behind growth hormone deficiency is to start treatment as early as possible, then understanding the early warning signs and various symptoms of GH deficiency is crucial. The longer you wait for treatment, the less chance you have of recovering and healing fully.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common symptoms of growth hormone deficiency:
- Delayed puberty or no puberty at all in childhood growth hormone deficiency
- Facial features that make them look younger than other people the same age
- Noticing more fat around the stomach and waist than normal
- Slowed development of teeth and hair growth
- Anxiety, depression, and frequent mood-related issues
- Balding and/or dry, thin skin
- Poor memory and difficulty staying focused
- Elevated triglyceride and cholesterol levels, insulin resistance
- Reduction in muscle mass or strength
- Loss of sexual interest or function
- Fatigue, exhaustion, low energy levels
- Hot and/or cold sensitivity
- Reduced bone density, greater risk of osteoporosis
If you notice any of these symptoms in yourself, your child, or a loved one, don’t hesitate to speak up and reach out for help. GH treatment goes a long way in helping the patient live a happy, healthy, rewarding, and meaningful life – which is what we’re all after, isn’t it?
How to Find a Reliable Hormone Specialist
While most people will first reach out to their primary care physician to discuss their symptoms, they’ll eventually be sent to an endocrinologist or hormone specialist to get a closer look at the patient and determine an effective treatment plan. The hormone specialist is the key to recovery.
Here are some of our most prominent tips when searching for a quality and reliable hormone specialist:
- Ask your friends and family members for referrals (if they also have hormonal imbalances)
- Always check the specialist’s reviews, testimonials, and feedback from previous patients
- Double check the doctor’s licenses, certifications, educational background, and past professional experience
- Make sure you can be comfortable, open, and honest with your hormone specialist
- When you finally visit with your doctor, don’t be afraid to ask questions if you have any
- If you don’t feel comfortable with a doctor, find a new one (there’s no shame in it)
Since many hGH-deficient patients will take growth hormone (GH) injections for several years and will likely require regular monitoring beyond that, forming a positive and working relationship with a hormone specialist is very important. That’s why you want one that you feel comfortable with.
Are You Ready for hGH Therapy?
Undergoing growth hormone therapy can completely change a patient’s life for the better. For children, it can increase their chances of growing to a normal height. For adults, it can help improve metabolic function, help them lose weight around the waist, and improve quality of life.
At HGHMeds, we provide legal hGH injections to ensure those that need it most have access to it. Our injections contain 191 amino acids, are manufactured by FDA-approved companies, and are pharmacy grade. You can trust that you’re receiving high quality hGH when buying from us.
There are four major brands that we offer at HGHMeds – Genotropin, Humatrope, Norditropin, and Omnitrope. We’ve been in business for four years now and take our reputation within the growth hormone space seriously. Contact us today to learn more about our injections!
