Many people who take growth hormones or consider taking one have questions regarding its use, dosage, and side effects. But the question is, what happens if a person has too much growth hormone? Read more to learn more.
The excess of even a good thing is not good when it comes to health. HGH has a lot of benefits but it does not mean that more the HGH the more you will be benefited.
The higher HGH dosage does badly more than the good thus, consulting a hormone specialist and completing therapy under his/her supervision is the most important prerequisite of avoiding HGH side effects.
As per the insights shared by Medscape, the pivotal importance of consulting a hormone specialist and following their recommendations cannot be overstated when it comes to ensuring the safety and effectiveness of HGH therapy. This practice serves to reduce the likelihood of experiencing side effects, guarantees that the treatment is custom-tailored to meet the specific requirements of the individual, and offers the essential guidance and supervision needed to attain the desired therapeutic results while safeguarding one’s overall well-being.
Keep in mind that hormone replacement therapy uses very potent substances. This alone should tell you to never overdo your consumption of HGH injections.
The body needs time to adjust to the new surge of hormones and slowness always wins the race in this case.
The hormone specialists usually start with low HGH dosage to keep the benefits and eliminate the hazards of therapy for the body. They also vary the dosage to find the individual’s required optimized dosage.
The high HGH dosage effects are dependent on individual body chemistry. The most commonly observed side effects of high HGH vary from mild skin, digestion, and muscle issues to severe damages to organs.
According to a study cited by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, there are rare instances in which excessively elevated HGH levels, whether stemming from the misuse of HGH therapy or underlying medical conditions, can result in severe side effects, notably encompassing organ damage. Prolonged elevation of HGH levels has the potential to foster conditions such as acromegaly, which is typified by the abnormal growth of body tissues and organs.
It causes water retention that leads to swelling of hands, feet, teeth gums, tongue, and bloating. The other issues are diarrhea, nausea, insomnia, difficulty in urination, arthritis, jaundice, and liver damage.
The use of human growth hormone therapy is known to carry a lot of risks of side effects. However, they do also benefit the patients if they happen to suffer greatly from health issues caused by their human growth hormone deficiency.
The logic is that although the use of human growth hormone therapy can cause a plethora of health issues, the individual is already suffering from other health issues caused by human growth hormone deficiency.
With that said, the use of human growth hormone therapy is there to mitigate those other issues. Therefore, the use of human growth hormone therapy is usually suggested for patients with human growth hormone deficiency and not those with acromegaly.
Also, acromegaly is a condition caused by excessive production of growth hormone, usually by the pituitary gland. It can lead to an enlargement of the hands, feet, and facial bones, as well as other skeletal abnormalities.
This can result in changes in facial features, such as a prominent jaw, enlarged tongue, and spacing between teeth. Acromegaly can also cause increased sweating, oily skin, and thickening of the skin.
Acromegaly usually happens in adults after some kind of injury to the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland starts to produce an excess of human growth hormones and this slowly causes some massive changes in the body of an adult.
In this case, excessive use of human growth hormone therapy can also cause very similar symptoms of acromegaly in adults.
Taking excessive growth hormone can cause joint pain and swelling. This is due to the increased growth of bones and tissues, which can put stress on the joints and lead to inflammation.
In accordance with information from Mayo Clinic, the surplus bone growth induced by excessive growth hormone has a pronounced impact on the structure and constitution of joints. Joints represent the meeting points of two or more bones, encompassed by connective tissues, comprising ligaments, tendons, and synovial fluid. The enlargement of bones exerts elevated pressure on these supportive structures.
Joint pain and swelling can affect multiple joints, such as the wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles, and can cause discomfort, stiffness, and limited range of motion.
Growth hormone can also cause soft tissues, including tendons and ligaments, to enlarge. This can lead to compression of the median nerve in the wrist, resulting in carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause symptoms such as numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain in the hand and fingers, and can affect daily activities that require fine motor skills.
In addition to that, growth hormone can interfere with the body’s ability to use insulin properly, leading to insulin resistance. This means that the cells in the body may not respond effectively to insulin, resulting in higher blood sugar levels.
Over time, insulin resistance can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which can cause symptoms such as increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and blurred vision.
Taking excessive growth hormone can increase the risk of cardiovascular issues. Growth hormone can cause changes in the structure and function of the heart and blood vessels, which can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and an enlarged heart.
These cardiovascular complications can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular events.
Also, HGH can cause the enlargement of organs such as the liver, spleen, and kidneys.
This can interfere with their normal functioning, leading to problems such as liver damage or kidney failure. The enlargement of organs can also cause discomfort and pain in the abdomen.
Besides, HGH can cause the growth of bones and cartilage, which can put pressure on joints and lead to joint pain.
This can especially be a problem for individuals who participate in activities that put extra stress on the joints, such as athletes or weightlifters. Joint pain can interfere with mobility and affect quality of life.
In addition to that, HGH can cause the growth of tissues in the throat, leading to sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing is interrupted during sleep, leading to fatigue and other health problems.
HGH-induced sleep apnea can be especially problematic because it is difficult to treat without reducing HGH levels.
Furthermore, excessive HGH can cause mood changes, including anxiety, depression, and irritability.
This is thought to be because HGH can interfere with the production and release of other hormones that affect mood, such as serotonin and dopamine. Mood changes can affect overall well-being and quality of life.
HGH can interfere with sexual function by reducing libido and causing erectile dysfunction in men. This is because HGH can interfere with the production of testosterone, which is necessary for sexual function.
Women may also experience reduced sexual function due to HGH-induced changes in hormone levels. Impaired sexual function can affect relationships and quality of life.
The side effects will only be faced in case of taking a higher HGH dosage than required. If you are using just the right amount then you will not face any side effects but during the dosage adjustment, you might go through some of them.
In the case of the following side-effects, you must seek immediate medical relief: breathing difficulty, heart palpitations, and chest pain.
Do not take HGH without a prescription and supervision even if you are an athlete and it is a common practice around you.
Consult with a hormone specialist so that he/she would take responsibility for your treatment. Try to find the one who offers continuous support so that you can contact them in-case of any irregular health symptom.
Health must be your priority while taking HGH or any other hormonal therapy.
SIMILAR QUESTION
How Do I Know If I Have Too Much Growth Hormone?
Introduction
Growth hormone (GH) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, which helps to regulate growth and metabolism in the body. GH is essential for healthy growth and development, however, too much of it can lead to a number of serious health problems. This paper will discuss the signs and symptoms of excessive GH levels and how to diagnose and treat the condition.
Signs and Symptoms of Excessive GH Levels
Excessive GH levels can cause a number of physical and psychological symptoms. The most common signs and symptoms of excessive GH include:
- Rapid growth (especially in children)
- Gigantism (in adults)
- Acromegaly (in adults)
- Joint pain
- Swelling of the hands and feet
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Enlarged organs
- Abnormal vision
- Heart problems
- Increased sweating
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Headache
- Nervousness
- Weight gain
- Enlarged jaw and forehead
- Abnormal hair growth
- Abnormal skin pigmentation
Diagnosis
Excessive GH levels can be diagnosed through a blood test called a GH stimulation test. In this test, a sample of your blood is taken before and after being injected with a synthetic hormone. If the levels of GH in the blood remain high after the injection, it may indicate an overproduction of GH.
Other tests that may be used to diagnose excessive GH levels include a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, a computed tomography (CT) scan, and an X-ray. These tests can help to identify any tumors or other abnormalities in the pituitary gland that could be causing the condition.
Treatment
Treatment for excessive GH levels focuses on reducing the production of GH and controlling the symptoms. Medications such as somatostatin analogs, dopamine agonists, and growth hormone receptor antagonists can be used to reduce the production of GH. In some cases, surgery may be recommended to remove any tumors or other abnormalities in the pituitary gland.
Conclusion
Excessive growth hormone levels can lead to a number of serious physical and psychological problems. It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of excessive GH levels, as well as the methods of diagnosis and treatment. If you suspect that you may have excessive GH levels, it is important to seek medical advice as soon as possible.
