|
Human Growth Hormone
Pharmaceutical Name: Somatotropin
Drug Class: Growth Hormone/IGF-1 Precursor
Active Life: Varies by injection method
Human Growth Hormone is a proteinaceous hormone made up of a chain of 191
amino acids and is produced by the pituitary gland. It is responsible for the
protein deposition, growth of tissues, and the breakdown of subcutaneous fat
stores. Human growth hormone is produced in its highest levels during
adolescence, as should be no surprise since this is when the majority of a
person's body growth occurs. In adulthood, growth hormone still circulates in
the body but at much lower levels. The primary medical purpose for
administration of human growth hormone is for those that suffer from a
deficiency of the hormone during their adolescence so that normal growth can
occur. However in recent years the popularity of human growth hormone has
surged as a means to treat age-related degenerative conditions, as well as
other so-called "anti-aging" therapies.
Human growth hormone first became available in the 1980's. At first it was
extracted from the pituitary glands of cadavers. This practice was
discontinued however when it was determined that administration of the hormone
that was collected this way was linked to the spread of a fatal brain disease.
All of the human growth hormone that is now produced is synthetic.
In terms of the use of human growth hormone for strength athletes and
bodybuilders, the effects are two fold. First, it has been demonstrated that
consistent administration of human growth hormone can help to promote loss of
body fat. In part this is due to the ability of the compound to cause cells in
the body to increase the rate with which they utilize fats while also
decreasing the rate that carbohydrates are used. This fat loss is achieved
because of the ability of growth hormone to stimulate triglyceride hydrolysis
in adipose tissue as well (2).
In conjunction with this, human growth hormone helps to promote the movement
of amino acids through cell membranes. This, along with the fact that growth
hormone promotes the growth of the cells in the body and increases the rate at
which these cells divide and multiple, obviously indicates that it is also
capable of enhancing anabolism if used at appropriate doses.
Many users also have an interest in using human growth hormone for the ability
of the compound to help heal existing injuries and prevent new ones from
occurring. There is some evidence that growth hormone can help to promote the
production of new and regeneration of damaged cartilage when used in
conjunction with insulin-like growth factor. It is actually the insulin-like
growth factor that stimulates the production of cartilage. Insulin-like growth
factor is released from the liver in response to circulating growth hormone
(3).
It has also been demonstrated that human growth hormone has positive effects
on erythropoeisis, i.e. the manufacture of red blood cells (4). This effect
should help to improve the endurance of an athlete and may also help to
promote anabolism. To the degree with which this effect will occur in users
varies quite widely, but all users should show some improvement.
Use and Dosing of Human Growth Hormone
Human growth hormone is primarily secreted in rhythmic pulses during sleep.
This occurs by the mechanism of Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone and
Somatostatin being released in an alternating fashion. For the most part users
will want to mimic the natural release of growth hormone, while also not
disrupting the body's natural production of the hormone. This is often a
delicate balance.
In terms of a dosing schedule for the compound, there is some controversy as
to the best method for fat loss/anabolism. It is thought by many that daily
dosing is of primary importance when using human growth hormone due to the
extremely short active life of the drug. Blood concentrations of the hormone
reach their peak within two to six hours of the injection, with the half life
being only twenty to thirty minutes (3). This of course makes it impossible to
maintain stable blood levels of the compound.
However a stable level of the hormone is seemingly unnecessary as this does
not occur naturally when the body produces the hormone. In fact there is some
research that indicates that administration of the hormone every other day,
instead of injections every day, may result in a more efficient use of the
hormone. In a study using children ranging in ages of two to four, it was
demonstrated that administration of the compound every other day, as opposed
to every day, resulted in more growth in the children giving this dosing
schedule (5). One theory as to why this may occur is that injections every
other day may simulate the natural pulsile frequency of growth hormone
secretion. This would also allow the growth hormone receptors in the body
recover from the surge of growth hormone that would be circulating and then be
better able to make use of the next dose that is administered the next day.
The only problem with the above theory is that it has never been tested in
terms of its effect on muscle growth and/or fat loss, only in the height
growth in extremely young children. For the most part strength athletes and
bodybuilders have administered growth hormone every day and have achieved good
results. This method would seemingly provide a user with a consistent wave of
growth hormone throughout their cycle and allow the body to utilize it rather
efficiently.
Another common practice among users is to run growth hormone for five days and
then take one or two days off, or some other similar schedule. This would
seemingly be "splitting the difference" between the two dosing schedules
outlined above, but there is no research to indicate that it is of any
significant benefit either way.
As for the time of day a user should inject human growth hormone, it would be
least disruptive to the natural release of the hormone to administer it
sometime early in the day. If a user were to inject it close to when they were
going to sleep, this would surely negate any natural release of growth
hormone, something that a user would obviously want to avoid. There is no
standard to which most adhere to when deciding how close to going to sleep
that they will administer growth hormone, however mid-afternoon should be
early enough that it does not interfere with the natural release of the
hormone during sleep.
In terms of dosages needed to see specific results, there is primarily only
anecdotal evidence to be relied upon when it comes to fat loss and an anabolic
response. The relevant research does not discuss these effects in any great
scope. However, most users have indicated that doses of approximately two to
six international units per day in men will usually produce a noticeable loss
of body fat in most users. In terms of getting an anabolic response, the
experience of users vary considerably. For the most part it can be concluded
that most users will need to administer larger doses than needed to experience
fat loss if they wish to see a noticeable anabolic response from human growth
hormone. How much more varies from individual to individual. There are some
users who have indicated that using extremely large doses of the hormone has
resulted in dramatic gains in muscle mass, but often these doses are cost
prohibitive for most. Individuals will likely have to experiment themselves to
find a level that they are comfortable with, as well as what they can afford.
As for the duration of a cycle of growth hormone, it is believed by many that
the compound must be administered for a minimum of 20 to 30 weeks to see
results. The action of the compound is slow acting and therefore lengthy
cycles are needed. However due to its relative safety it can be run for
several months, and even years, with little to no negative results. Of course
this is dependent on the user and his or her individual reaction to the
compound, along with the doses that they are using.
Human growth hormone can be administered using either intra-muscular or
subcutaneous injections. There is no difference in the absorption of the
compound.
No type of post-cycle therapy is necessary when discontinuing growth hormone
as it should continue to be produced naturally by the body of the user. The
negative feedback loop that indicates to the body that there is enough of the
hormone circulating is related to insulin-like growth factor. Specifically,
when insulin-like growth factor is secreted by the liver a signal is sent to
the pituitary gland and hypothalamus to cease the production of growth
hormone(6).
Side Effects and Risks while using Human Growth Hormone
For the most part, human growth hormone is a relatively mild compound with
little in the way of side effects when compared to anabolic steroids. However
there are some that can occur. The most common side effects experienced by
users are bloating and/or joint pain. The majority of users anecdotally report
that any joint pain they experience most often ceases after a few weeks of
administration of the drug (2).
In addition, it is possible to experience such things are enlarged organs,
carpal tunnel syndrome and acromegaly, which is a thickening of or abnormal
growth of the bones (7). For this reason it would be advisable for users that
are in their mid to late 20s or younger to consult with a doctor if they are
administering growth hormone. This is due to the fact that if the growth
plates of a user are not yet fused, there is a potential for disproportionate
bone growth. As well if there is a chance that a user has cancer or other
tumours it is imperative that they ensure that they do not begin administering
human growth hormone prior to getting medically cleared. This is due to the
fact that growth hormone can help to accelerate the rate at which tumours will
grow.
Some users may also experience some other conditions related to use of growth
hormone. Thyroid suppression, insulin resistance, and prostate growth are all
possible side effects that could be experienced. There are various methods to
help deal with these occurrences, ranging from the mild to the very
aggressive. This profile will not go into great detail about these therapies,
however it should be noted that most users are unlikely to have major
difficulties with these side effects if their doses remain relatively
moderate.
Human growth hormone has also been shown to cause gynocomastia in some users.
The exact mechanism that this occurs is not know, however it is believed to be
related to either the a rise in prolactin levels or else the growth hormone
causes breast tissue growth when coupled with a high level of estrogen in the
body. To combat this, the usual protocol can be used, i.e. use of aromatase
inhibitors, selective estrogen receptor modulator and/or compounds that help
to reduce prolactin levels.
References
1. Vigan� et al. Effects of Recombinant Growth Hormone on
Visceral Fat Accumulation: Pilot Study in HIV-Infected Adolescents.J Clin
Endocrinol Metab. 2005 Apr 19; [Epub ahead of print]
2. Llewellyn, William, Anabolics 2004, 2003-4, Molecular Nutrition, pp. 236-8
3. Identification of an insulin-responsive element in the promoter of the
human gene for insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1. J Biol Chem
268:17063-8, 1995
4. Christ ER, Cummings MH, Westwood NB, Sawyer BM, Pearson TC, Sonksen PH,
Russell-Jones DL. The importance of growth hormone in the regulation of
erythropoiesis, red cell mass, and plasma volume in adults with growth hormone
deficiency., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1997 Sep;82(9):2985-90
5. Lampit, M. Hochberg, Z. Testosterone blunts feedback inhibition of growth
hormone secretion by experimentally elevated insulin-like growth factor-I
concentrations.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005 Mar;90(3):1613-7
6. Yarasheski KE. Growth hormone effects on metabolism, body composition,
muscle mass, and strength. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 1994;22:285-312
7. Growth hormone induced increase in serum IGFBP-3 level is reversed by
anabolic steroids in substance abusing power athletes. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf)
49:459-63, 1998
Books and Courses
|
Great Websites
|
Excellent Stores
|
Recipe Cook Books
|
|
|
