With benefits come many disadvantages, and people are considering if human growth hormone therapy is suitable for their children. For this purpose, we have listed five cons of human growth hormone therapy for children you should know.
- Gradual nerve tissue degeneration
Children who struggle with human growth hormone deficiency can benefit from being given human growth hormone therapy. Be that as it may, this is not to say that human growth hormone therapy poses no health risks at all.
Just like many other types of therapy, human growth hormone therapy can also produce adverse effects.
There have been some studies that reported a rare case of degenerative neurologic disorder in children who had received human growth hormone therapy.
The therapy seemed to not have produced the desired result, but instead, caused a neurological disorder that afflicted the nerve tissues.
This degeneration, unfortunately, progressed really quickly and the patients, who were now adults suffered greatly. The patients in the report had been receiving human growth hormone therapy since childhood and throughout their adolescence.
Although this sounds scary, these patients were a rare case in comparison to many success stories involving human growth hormone therapy.
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob syndrome
Creutzfeldt-Jakob syndrome is a rare onset of symptoms that are very similar to Alzheimer’s. The disorder affects the brain and can show symptoms that are also similar to dementia.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob syndrome, or CJD for short, worsens at a rapid rate in patients who have developed it. Neurological damage is unstoppable in many cases and patients can die within 1 year of the initial signs of symptoms.
As previously mentioned, some children who receive human growth hormone therapy from a young age may develop some forms of neurological disorders at a later time in their adult years.
In the same report of patients who died from gradual nerve tissue degeneration, CJD was found later during autopsy.
At any rate, CJD in itself is a rare disorder and the patients who developed the disorder after getting human growth hormone therapy died in the late 80s. Since then, medicine has progressed a lot.
- Risks of developing acromegaly-type illnesses
Human growth hormone therapy is typically used for the treatment of children who suffer from human growth hormone deficiency.
But in real life, there are also children who struggle with the excessive production of naturally occurring human growth hormones.
When the pituitary gland of children produces an excess of human growth hormone, they might develop really largely, like giants, and suffer from acromegaly.
Acromegaly comes with many types of health issues due to an individual’s large size that is not supported by adequate organs that have developed accordingly.
Likewise, in the case of children who receive human growth hormone therapy since childhood, there is a possibility of them developing some illnesses that come with having acromegaly.
Some illnesses that are commonly found in individuals with acromegaly include heart disease, kidney failure, and diabetes.
However, if human growth hormone therapy is conducted properly and under very strict observations, the risks are very low.
- Risks of developing mental health issues
The use of human growth hormone therapy is yet to be conclusive in our era. You will find some studies stating that the use of human growth hormone therapy helps children develop healthy functions of the brain.
Of course, this then affects the mental health and cognitive functions of such individuals. That’s why it is a good idea to give your children human growth hormone therapy from a young age to help their normal development.
Be that as it may, the use of human growth hormone therapy is not yet fully understood and in some cases, young adults who are under human growth hormone therapy can also show symptoms of brain impairment.
This impairment then adversely affects their psychological development as well as cognitive functions. In rare cases where the impairment of the brain becomes advanced, such children may also develop difficulties in social situations.
SIMILAR QUESTION
What Are The Disadvantages Of Human Growth Hormone?
The human growth hormone (HGH) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, which is located at the base of the brain. It is responsible for a variety of functions, including the growth and development of cells, tissues, and organs throughout the body. It is also associated with increased energy levels, improved overall physical and mental health, and overall longevity.
However, while HGH has many benefits, there are also some potential disadvantages associated with its use. The most significant of these disadvantages are the potential for serious side effects. In some cases, the use of HGH can result in an increased risk of certain types of cancer, such as prostate and breast cancer. There have also been reports of an increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol when using HGH.
In addition to the potential for serious side effects, HGH can also have other undesirable effects. For example, it can cause an increase in appetite, leading to weight gain. It can also interfere with the body’s natural ability to regulate its glucose levels, which can lead to diabetes. Finally, some studies have suggested that long-term use of HGH can lead to a decrease in the body’s ability to produce its own growth hormone, resulting in a condition known as HGH deficiency.
Overall, while HGH can be beneficial in some cases, it is important to be aware of the potential disadvantages associated with its use. It is important to consult with a doctor before considering the use of HGH, and to discuss the potential risks and side effects associated with the treatment. With careful monitoring and management, however, HGH can be a safe and effective way to increase energy levels, improve overall physical and mental health, and promote overall longevity.
