HGH Negative Side Effects
Before we discuss about the negative side effects of HGH, let us understand what HGH is and how it affects our body.
The full form of HGH is human growth hormone. It is produced by pituitary gland, one of the many endocrine glands of the body which secrets it directly into blood stream instead of into a duct. The function of this hormone is to promote growth in children and maintain metabolism in adults. This hormone has been produced synthetically as well.
One of the important uses of using this hormone for therapy is to help those children who do not produce enough this hormone to overcome their poor growth. It is very safe to use HGH if it is done under proper medical guidance. But, there cases when players and athletes start taking this hormone without any guidance to develop their muscles and improve their stamina.
As people grow old, the level of HGH tends to go down. This leads to weaker muscle and bone strength. The energy level of the person also decreases and general maintenance of body parts deteriorates. So, there are also cases of people using it as anti aging treatment without consulting a doctor.
It was found to have negative side effects when administered with the drug at high dose and for a long period of time.
One most common side effect is known as acromegaly resulting in producing enlarged bones in hands, feet, jaw, nose and ribs and excessive growth of hair all over the body. This condition also reduces the lifespan of the person and may cause premature death. The presence of high concentration of the hormone in the body may lead the body to stop producing this hormone on its known and ultimately shutting the function of the pituitary gland.
HGH is found to have affected the function of pancreas leading to reduction in insulin production and ultimately leading to developing diabetes.
When the incidence of diabetes is increasing by itself all over the world, by taking HGH without proper medical guidance people are making the matter even worse.
A few other side effects are
- Enlargement of the heart
- Body retaining excess water
- Damage to liver
- Damage to Thyroid gland
- Increased muscle and reduced fat
- Muscle weakness
- Arthritis
- Swelling of soft tissues
Reduction of these side effects are possible both by reducing the period of time the drug is administered or by the reduction of dose.
When the use of this drug is reduced, the body takes some time to return to normal status.
Therefore, those players & athletes who want to take this drug for building their muscles or persons who would like to use it as an anti aging treatment should better consult a medical practitioner before taking such a step.
Another negative aspect of HGH treatment is prohibitive price of the medicine. It may cost you $20000 for one year's supply of the injections. As anti aging treatment is not generally covered by medical insurance, this entire expense is to be paid by the person taking the treatment.
The legal status of this treatment is also not very clear. It cannot be taken as an anti aging treatment unless the person undergoing the treatment can show by means of a blood test that the natural level of the hormone is below normal.
There is also a risk of development of cancer. When cancer starts developing, use of HGH may farther increase the development of these cancerous cells. But, this risk of getting cancer has not been proved in human cases only in the case of mice.
HGH Side Effects
