Human Growth hormone (HGH) is an incredibly small protein but potent enough to send you to the realm of dwarfs or the kingdom of giants. However, its immense power also makes it extremely dangerous; thus, one should be highly watchful of it. With its numerous benefits against many a disease, it also possesses multiple threats when used as a ‘performance-enhancing drug’ or ‘anti-aging agent’.

Here are some of the side effects of long-term, high dose Growth Hormone administration:

1. ‘Man-boob’:

It is medically and formally referred to as gynecomastia which is enlarged of one or both breasts in men. Gynaecomastia may even be uneven. It occurs because Growth Hormone stimulates the production of both testosterone (male sex hormone) and estrogen (female sex hormone). While testosterone does rise, estrogen rises way out of proportion. This not only neutralizes the effects of testosterone but also causes predominance in female characteristics. Gynecomastia, itself, is not a serious condition but can become one due to the norms set by society. It may become a source of embarrassment for the sufferer and may even push them into the dark alley of depression because of the stigmatization. Many people then go for talk therapy to cope up with anxiety and depression.

Fortunately, most cases of gynecomastia return to normal once a balance is reached between the hormones and if not, medicinal and surgical options are also available.

2. Cardiovascular Disorders:

Common morbidities of HGH abuse are CVS disorders that ultimately lead to higher mortality rates. These CVS disorders range from valvular dysfunctions to arrhythmias. Myriads of studies have concluded that there is about a 10-years-decrease, on average, due to CVS diseases in the lives of patients with bona fide GH excess, people who abuse HGH drugs, or patients with long-term/high dose HGH treatment.

Factors like thyroid gland malfunctioning, hypertension, increased rate of metabolism, and increased calcium intake, cause these disorders. It is baffling to know that in many cases, science is still oblivious to how exactly these factors cause CVS illnesses.

These disorders follow their due course. Initially, there is increased contractility of the heart muscle, followed by enlargement of the heart as a whole and ultimately heads towards the scarring of the cells of the heart for life. Nonetheless, deaths due to CVS disorders have reduced greatly in recent years due to improved diagnostic techniques and early diagnosis.

3. Diabetes:

Piles of research conducted on the association of growth hormone and diabetes, in fact, does indicate that HGH excess increases the risk of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) Type 2 in younger people especially those with predominant DM family history and other contributing factors like obesity. Studies show that the incidence of DM is six times higher in people with HGH excess than the normal, control population. Therefore, one should be extremely vigilant to monitor one’s blood sugar levels during and after the administration of HGH.

In our body, the growth hormone on one hand, produces a spur in the production of insulin and on the other hand, also increases the generation of glucose and produces insulin resistance, hence resulting in Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes itself comes with detrimental effects on virtually all systems of one’s body. From skin diseases to renal failure to blindness, diabetes paves the path for almost all lethal and disabling diseases.

Nonetheless, the chances of DM are higher by many folds in people who use HGH for non-medical purposes like body-building.

4. Hypertension:

HGH causes sodium and water retention in our body which culminates in high blood pressure. During HGH supplementation, heart rate increases, and resistance from blood vessels decreases. The growth hormone also causes disruption in the walls of vessels that further aggravates hypertension. In the nutshell, a vicious cycle develops when cardiac changes developed by GH excess worsen hypertension and vice versa.

Like Diabetes, hypertension too is the mother of many potentially lethal complications. Hypertension not only affects CVS badly but also possesses immense danger to Central Nervous System (CNS). There, it can be the reason for stroke, aneurysms, and memory loss. High blood pressure can also damage delicate vessels of the eye by cutting their supply and even bursting them. A serious condition known as hypertensive retinopathy is a common and serious complication in such people. This is condition is characterized by double vision, blurred vision, headaches and may also cause sudden loss of vision.

5. Painful Changes in Bones and Joints:

One of the cardinal functions of Growth Hormone is to increase the longitudinal length of a person but in doing so it increases the chances of fractures and secondary osteoporosis. Manifestations in joints are the main causes of morbidity and immobility of the people with GH excess in their bodies, and they do linger on even after long and successful treatment. Early diagnosis and proper treatment of these changes may alleviate the seriousness and complications.

Essentially all people with GH excess report some level of musculoskeletal and osteoarticular pain. Any joint can be affected by these changes but the most commonly affected ones are hips, shoulders, knees, hands, and elbows.

Despite these changes being the most common, earliest, and most hampering side effects of GH excess/abuse, no to little research has been done in this aspect. So, we still are not sure these manifestations are brought about and what can be the ways of curbing these.

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SIMILAR QUESTION

What Does Growth Hormone Do In Males?

Growth hormone (GH) is a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland in the brain. It is responsible for triggering a cascade of biochemical reactions that lead to growth and development in the human body. Growth hormone is important for both males and females, but it plays a different role in each sex. This paper will discuss the role of growth hormone in males.

Growth hormone has multiple functions in males, the most important of which is the promotion of growth and development. In males, growth hormone stimulates the production of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in the liver, which in turn stimulates the production of other hormones, such as testosterone, that are essential for physical development. Growth hormone also helps the body maintain its muscle mass and bone density, as well as its metabolic rate.

Growth hormone has also been shown to be essential for the development of secondary sexual characteristics in males, such as facial and body hair, a deepened voice, and increased muscle mass. Growth hormone also plays a role in the development of normal reproductive abilities, which includes the production and release of sperm.

In addition to its role in physical development, growth hormone also has psychological benefits in males. It has been shown to increase self-confidence and self-esteem, improve cognitive function, reduce stress, and improve overall quality of life.

Growth hormone deficiency is a common condition in males, and can lead to stunted growth, decreased muscle mass, decreased bone density, and decreased sexual development. Treatment for growth hormone deficiency includes injections of synthetic growth hormone. These injections are typically given every day or several times a week, depending on the severity of the deficiency.

In conclusion, growth hormone plays an important role in the physical and psychological development of males. It is essential for growth and development, as well as for the development of secondary sexual characteristics and reproductive abilities. Growth hormone deficiency is a common condition in males, and can lead to stunted growth, decreased bone density, and decreased sexual development. Treatment for growth hormone deficiency includes injections of synthetic growth hormone.

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Does HGH Help To Improve Libido And Sexual Functions?

Since Human Growth Hormone is said to help with increasing sperm count, it also makes us wonder if the Growth Hormone affects libido or sexual functions positively as well or not. So, does HGH help to improve libido and sexual functioning?

The human growth hormone helps men and women to be more sexually active by increasing testosterone (men’s primary sex hormone) and estrogen (women’s counterpart) and strengthening heart muscles. A healthy heart allows it to pump more oxygenation blood throughout the body.

Good blood circulation means that the heart and other organs function better, and along with the proper amounts of the respective sex hormone, that they are able to be engaged in more enjoyable sexual activities for a longer time.

Growth hormone deficiency contributes to sexual dysfunction, in that men experience erectile dysfunction and early or permanent ejaculation, whereas women are unable to achieve orgasm, lubricate vagina, and relax the vaginal muscles to do intercourse, and for both sexes, they lack libido or sex drive as a result of the lack of sex hormone.

In 2002, in General, Clinical Research Center (GCRC) at the University of Virginia, Kimberly T. Brill et al. conducted a study with the intention of finding out the effects of growth hormone and testosterone administration in 30 healthy older men aged 60-78 by having them injected with said hormones, eat meals composed of 55% carbohydrate, 15% protein, and 30% fat, and undergo muscle biopsy as some of the research methods.

Each subject was also asked to fill in a questionnaire about the rates of their libido and overall positive and negative mood traits using a Likert scale. The results were that:

• There were very few changes in both mood traits and the frequency of sexual intercourse per week, though they did overall score quite high in positive mood section and it might be because the older men were already active with good quality life, including sex life.
• The subjects did not experience any usual adverse effects except mild skin irritation.

Top 1 Fact About Building Muscle You Should Know Muscles Help Build Stamina When your first start training, you will get tired very quickly and your body will start to ache badly. However, you will have to endure that pain for just a few days or weeks because after that your body adapts to this drastic change. In a few months, you will gain a lot of strength but you will not increase any muscle mass. It is during this phase that your muscular and nervous systems get better at using your muscles. Once your body gets used to using all of these muscles you will gain a lot of strength and you will not get tired so easily. Everyone knows that having muscles is the biggest sign of having body strength. But to get there you need to go through a lot of physical stress. After months of exercising your body will have much more strength and stamina. This will help you do more demanding exercises and keep on making your body stronger.

1 Food To Increase Growth Hormone Naturally Pomegranate Pomegranate is a beautiful fruit that has shiny red jewels inside called arils that contains the juicy and sweet nectar which surrounds the white seed. Pomegranate is a very healthy fruit, and its seeds are edible and are very good for your body functioning. Pomegranate is a fruit that is rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, fiber, and potassium. The majority of the fiber is in the white seeds, which are beneath the juice pockets. Pomegranate has 48% of the recommended vitamin intake, which is required by the body daily that is vital for the body. Besides, pomegranate can also be juiced through squeezing and separating the fruit and separating fibers using a strainer. You can then use the juice to make a refreshing juice excellent and sweet for you to take, and you can refrigerate the juice and keep it cool. Consuming pomegranate will play a significant role in increasing the growth hormone in the body naturally.

1 Sign Of HGH Deficiency - Male Adults Decreased Strength and Depreciated Stamina The male adults are very vigorous, energetic, and powerful; and they are mostly participating in activities that require higher levels of energy, strength, drive, and stamina. The growth hormone deficiency carries general weakness and a slowed-down growth process by default. The male adults are also not an exception in weakening due to GH deficiency. They usually and very frequently lack in regaining the energy utilized in the day to day activities. In various routine operations, the young adults are unable to display the stamina and force corresponding to their age and looks. In different games, sports, laborious work, and other activities involving stamina and drive; the people with lowered levels of growth hormones generally feel de-motivated. The aggravated situation of defected stamina and deteriorated strength and vigor leads to situations of displeasure, frustration, dissatisfaction, and disappointment. The declined state of morale and motivation visibly recognizable in a young adult can be characterized due to a lack of growth hormones as one of the major or contributory reasons.