Human Growth Hormone Side Effects

Human Growth Hormone side effects are a concern for anyone considering hormone therapy to slow down or reverse the aging process. As with any drug, each individual should weigh the pros and cons and decide if the end justifies the means.

Most medicinal use of human growth hormone focuses on short-term correction of hormonal imbalance. Human growth hormone side effects can be reduced by limiting the length of time the hormone is used. Lowering the dosage of human growth hormone can also reduce the number and severity of side effects.

The introduction of any foreign substance, even if your body produces it naturally, will trigger reactions by the body. Human growth hormone side effects range from minor joint pain to abnormal bone and cartilage growth. Additional side effects from human growth hormone include fluid retention, serious high blood pressure and reversible insulin resistance in diabetics. 

Some of the more serious side effects of human growth hormone come from long-term abuse, such as that seen in athletic use. In this instance, the use of human growth hormone can lead to more pronounced, and sometimes deadly, side effects such as irregular heart rhythms, increased risk of diabetes, and joint and facial deformities.

When individuals consume more than the suggested dose of human growth hormone for an extended period of time, complicated side effects can arise. The liver has to work harder to process the human growth hormone circulating through your blood. This could lead to liver stress and ultimately, liver damage. Another potential side effect of human growth hormone abuse is as the body recognizes a higher level of HGH in the bloodstream; it will stop producing as much for itself. If this occurs, the pituitary glands begin to shut down.

Human growth hormone research in mice suggests that increased levels of the hormone may actually shorten lifespan. Results of a study conducted by researchers at Kuopio University Hospital in Finland revealed that treating critically-ill patients with human growth hormone could significantly increase their risk of death. Additionally, treatment with human growth hormone increased the length of time patients needed to remain in intensive care or on a respirator.

Human growth hormone side effects can occur from any human growth hormone use. Minimizing the dosage and the length of time on the growth hormone can be helpful. Each person must weight the benefits against the risks and decide if human growth hormone therapy will assist them in reaching their anti-aging goals.