On a daily basis I get inquiries concerning Growth Hormone and Peptides. I get many patients calling and asking if I prescribe human Growth Hormone (HGH) or Growth Hormone “boosters” for “anti-aging” and to help “restore youth.” The answer is, I do not. At least, not for simple anti-aging desires. hGH is used to treat specific pituitary issues and is a healing hormone only when used appropriately after a full metabolic function evaluation. It is not meant to be used to “stop or reverse aging.” It can be a powerful tool for healing from injury
Growth Hormone in the human body begins to decrease between the ages of 25 and 35 and is directly correlated with the aging process. Maintaining normal levels as we get older helps slow down the clinical syndrome of aging. A full evaluation of all other hormones must be done to ensure there is no other hormone issue.
Adverse effects from injectable HGH therapy are very rare as long as the amount of HGH used averages 1 to 2 units or less per day. Most physicians familiar with adult HGH replacement therapy believe that 1.5 to 2.0 units per day reaches the point of diminishing returns, and more than 2 units per day begins to put you at some risk of side effects. The clinical studies that resulted in frequent side effects from HGH used much larger doses. In fact, all of the most frequently-quoted clinical studies have used doses that we now know are ridiculously high doses.
Benefits of Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
First Month:Vivid dreams, better/sounder sleep, improved stamina, optimistic attitude.
Second Month:Improved muscle tone, increased strength, improved skin tone, improved nail growth, better digestion, weight loss(if appropriate), improved vision, enhanced sexual function.
Third Month:Improved mental processes, enhanced productivity, faster wound healing, hair re-growth, increased libido, increased muscle size, faster recovery from muscle soreness, reduced pms symptoms, greater body flexibility, reduced pain.
Fourth Month:Heightened improvements with all of the above. At times improvements may seem to diminish or plateau. Rejuvenation is still a process. Benefits should resume with continued improvements.
Fifth Month:Improved weight loss and reduction of inches improved skin texture and appearance, skin thickening and greater elasticity, reduction of skin wrinkles, thickening of hair with a shiny, healthy appearance.
Sixth Month: Diminished cellulite, improved resistance to colds, flu and other illnesses, improved eyesight, healing of old wounds, improved body contour, disappearance of pain and soreness.
Other Benefits not “Felt” but are very real:
- Prevention of Alzheimer’s
- Increased Bone Strength
- Body Inflammatory Markers decrease
- Improved HDL (The Good Cholesterol)
Remember
- This is NOT a replacement for good eating habits, exercise and overall good health habits.
- HGH is expensive and insurance does not usually cover the medication.
- “Infomercial” and “Health Food Store” products that claim to be effective in improving
- Growth Hormone status have no evidence to back up the claims. hGH is a prescription drug that cannot be sold over the counter or on the internet.
- We age primarily due to decline in key hormone levels.
- Optimizing hormone levels can prevent complications due to aging.
Note:
You will read about many other types of selective growth hormone releasing peptides (GHRP) that achieve different metabolic goals. Peptide therapy is highly specific only doing what you want them to do while being well tolerated and safe. There are over 60 US FDA approve peptide medications and over 200 being evaluated in clinical trials. However, the FDA has taken many off the bulk drug substance list and some have been reclassified into categories of substances that can no longer be compounded and prescribed. The legal issues are complicated and have confused the pharmacy and physician world. Even simple and safe peptides such as human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) have been reclassified and no longer able to be compounded.
If you choose to begin any type of HGH therapy, you will be required to have follow up lab evaluations.
Be Well!
– Dr. G
