There is a specific age for everything. For example, height only increases until a specific age limit. But what about growth hormones? Do they have an age limit? The question is, at what age do growth hormones stop working?
Growth hormone (GH) is regularly secreted by the pituitary gland in certain intervals during the daytime, but the hormone concentration reaches the peak in children and young adults, especially during the slow-wave or deep sleep phase.
As humans continue to age, The number of GH secretion begins to gradually decline by more or less 15% in each decade once humans are at least 30 years old.
At age 55, the total amount of GH released is only 25 micrograms daily, compared to 150 micrograms per day in children having entered puberty phase.
However, even with all of the above mentioned, it is still important to note that this is the common scenario for most human beings. You could say these are the people who would otherwise be considered healthy.
Meanwhile, there are cases of people whose production of human growth hormones is not healthy. When such humans suffer from a deficiency of human growth hormones, then their levels of human growth hormones will be very low at even a young age.
Be that as it may, a lack or drop in the production of human growth hormones can be affected by many things that afflict human health in general. And so, it is also understandable why old people tend to have lower human growth hormone levels.
It is generally because old people have garnered enough illness that disrupts the production of their human growth hormones.
Other things that decrease as well at the old age are lean body mass, cognitive functions, sleep quality, GH binding protein (at age 60), IGF-1 levels, GH releasing hormone (GHRH) or somatocrinin, and response to GH secretagogues (substances or hormones which induce GH secretion such as ghrelin, pralmorelin, and sermorelin) and other stimuli.
It is actually never stated that GH would eventually completely stop working at old age (unless the individual has passed away), but GH secretion can be suppressed or inhibited by many factors like excessive body fat (particularly in the stomach), decreased quality of life, and sleep deprivation.
Mary Russell et al. (2001) aimed to find out how the aging would physiologically affect humans in general, so they divided 37 volunteers into 4 groups: 8 young men, 8 young women, 10 old men, and 11 old women.
All of the young subjects were healthy but never even once competed in sports events, while the elderly ones were equally healthy but did use to participate in sports competitions.
Both groups were not known to have cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and other health problems prior to the study. They were asked to sleep with lights off at 11.00 PM and rest with lights on at 06.30 – 07.00.
They discovered that aging contributed to the decrease of GH levels, IGF-1, GHRH, and somatotropic activities and that GH was at the highest with lights off for young participants and lights on for the elders.
Also, the study conducted by Veldhuis et al. (2005) aimed to investigate age-related changes in GH secretion and its impact on insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels.
The study included 533 healthy men and women between the ages of 21 and 87 years, who were followed for up to 10 years.
The researchers measured GH levels at multiple time points using a technique called deconvolution analysis, which allows for more accurate measurement of GH secretion than traditional methods.
The study found that GH secretion decreased by approximately 14% per decade in both men and women, with a more significant decline observed after the age of 60.
The researchers also found that GH levels were lower in women than men, but the rate of decline was similar between the two sexes.
The study also found that IGF-1 levels declined with age, and that the decline was related to the decrease in GH secretion.
Another study that was conducted by Rudman et al. (1990) aimed to investigate the effects of GH supplementation on body composition and metabolism in healthy older men.
The study included 151 healthy men between the ages of 21 and 71 years, who were divided into two groups: one group received daily injections of GH for six months, while the other group received a placebo.
The researchers measured GH secretion in all participants over a 24-hour period using a technique called the insulin tolerance test.
The study found that GH secretion decreased by about 14% per decade between the ages of 21 and 40, and by about 30% per decade between the ages of 41 and 71.
The researchers also found that GH supplementation increased lean body mass and decreased body fat in the treated group, but had no significant effect on overall metabolism or quality of life.
There are additional factors that may lead to a reduction in the body’s production of HGH, such as:
Poor lifestyle factors like stress, lack of sleep, unhealthy diet, and lack of exercise can all impact the release and effectiveness of growth hormones.
Chronic stress can decrease growth hormone production, while sufficient sleep and regular exercise can help increase growth hormone production and release.
Based on research reported by Healthline, chronic stress is identified as a significant factor that can lead to a decrease in the body’s production of Human Growth Hormone (HGH). This is due to the heightened release of cortisol, a stress hormone known to impede the secretion of HGH. The management of stress through relaxation techniques, such as meditation or yoga, has been suggested as a potential means to alleviate this inhibitory effect.
Certain health conditions like diabetes, obesity, and thyroid disorders can affect the production and effectiveness of growth hormones.
According to a study featured in Harvard Health publications, an excessive accumulation of body fat, notably concentrated in the abdominal region, is correlated with a decline in the production of Human Growth Hormone (HGH). Abdominal obesity is particularly concerning because it has been observed to have an adverse impact on the body’s natural ability to generate HGH.
For example, insulin resistance associated with diabetes can affect the effectiveness of growth hormone signals in the body.
Certain medications like glucocorticoids, used to treat inflammation and autoimmune disorders, can impact the production and release of growth hormones in the body.
These medications can suppress the release of growth hormone and affect the effectiveness of the signals.
Genetic factors can play a role in the production and effectiveness of growth hormones. Some genetic conditions, like Turner syndrome or Prader-Willi syndrome, can impact growth hormone production and cause growth deficiencies.
Exposure to toxins, pollution, and other environmental factors can also impact the release and effectiveness of growth hormones. Chemicals like lead, mercury, and pesticides can interfere with the production and release of growth hormones in the body.
In accordance with findings from the National Institute of Health (NIH), a substantial number of environmental toxins and pollutants are categorized as endocrine disruptors, signifying their capacity to interfere with the body’s hormonal control, including the release of growth hormones. Notably, certain chemicals prevalent in pesticides, plastics, and industrial pollutants possess the ability to imitate or obstruct hormonal functions.
The natural decline of hormone production in the body as we age can impact the effectiveness of growth hormones. This decline in hormone production is part of the aging process and can also be influenced by other factors like lifestyle and health conditions.
With all of that said, you can try to mitigate the rapid decline of human growth hormones by sticking to healthy lifestyles and food items.
Certain nutritious foods are known to help control hormone imbalances, too, which should be important in relation to maintaining high levels of HGH at all times.
Hormonal imbalances in the body can impact the production and effectiveness of growth hormones.
For example, low levels of estrogen or testosterone can affect the release of growth hormone, while excess levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, can suppress the release of growth hormone.
With that said, if you could increase your sex hormones, you could also affect the production of human growth hormones positively.
SIMILAR QUESTION
What Age Is Too Late For Growth Hormones?
The use of growth hormones is an increasingly popular medical treatment for children and adolescents who have not experienced normal growth and development. For some, this may be due to a genetic disorder, or it may be due to other medical conditions such as hypothyroidism. The question then becomes, what age is too late for growth hormones?
The answer to this question is not a straightforward one. First, it is important to note that growth hormones can be used safely and effectively in children and adolescents as young as two years old. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that “Growth hormone therapy is generally safe and effective in children and adolescents with diseases associated with growth failure.” Thus, it is not too late to use growth hormones in children and adolescents as young as two years old.
However, when it comes to adults, the use of growth hormones is a more complicated matter. Typically, adults do not experience growth failure, and therefore the use of growth hormones in adults is generally not recommended. The American Academy of Pediatrics also states that “there is limited evidence to support the use of growth hormone in adults without growth failure.” Thus, it is generally not recommended that adults use growth hormones unless there is clear and compelling evidence that it is medically necessary.
In summary, growth hormones can be used safely and effectively in children and adolescents as young as two years old. However, when it comes to adults, the use of growth hormones is generally not recommended unless there is clear and compelling evidence that it is medically necessary. Thus, it is not too late for growth hormones in children and adolescents, but it is typically too late for adults.
