Growth hormone therapy is a major way to improve growth hormone deficiency. However, many people are confused and want to know if they should consider the procedure. So, the question they have is, what are the risks of growth hormone therapy?
In this era of perfection, people are always looking for methods for the improvement of their skin, body, and looks. But the decision on taking HGH or any other therapy must be carefully taken after pinpointing all the benefits as well as risks.
The below lines will elaborate on the potential risks of HGH therapy. If you are taking HGH therapy, then you should do so only after fulfilling the following prerequisites:
- Taking ablood test for the detection of somatotropin or GH deficiency in the blood.
- A prescription from a specialist with hormonal and cellular behavior expertise.
- If GH deficiency is detected, then establish the shortfall and evaluatean optimized HGH dosage.
- Confirmation of not having any other medical issues.
Then you are playing safe. It means that you will get most of the HGH benefits including enhanced energy, decreased fat, improved lean muscles, and bone density.
Before you even commence HGH therapy, you need to identify and classify all possible side effects you are likely to encounter during the treatment.
Remember that HGH affects hormones and cells. So you should know how your hormones may interact with synthetic growth hormones.
Still, the most effective way to derive the most out of HGH is via injection. But this process also portends certain risks by itself.
HGH therapy elicits different side effects in men and women. HGH side effects for men include hypoglycemia, headache, cough, diarrhea, hair loss, fever, and weight changes. While, the HGH side effects for women include nervousness, dizziness, depression, headache, and hypoglycemia.
In line with the information provided by Healthline, a subset of individuals receiving HGH therapy may encounter mild and temporary headaches as a possible side effect. Furthermore, it is worth noting that HGH therapy can, on occasion, result in a mild and infrequent cough, which is typically considered a mild irritant.
The less harmful side-effects of HGH for women include itching, weakness, sleeping trouble, muscle pain, and poor concentration.
In line with the information provided by WebMD, women undergoing human growth hormone (HGH) therapy may experience a range of side effects. One common side effect is localized itching or skin irritation at the injection site, which is typically mild and transient. Additionally, HGH therapy has the potential to influence sleep patterns, leading to challenges in falling asleep or experiencing disrupted sleep.
One reason for having HGH side effects is taking a higher dosage than prescribed. Consulting a hormonal specialist during HGH therapy helps in the timely identification of side effects and thus their elimination. If someone is not in contact with a hormonal specialist than contact them immediately to one in-case of the following side effects:
- Breathing issues: HGH therapy can cause breathing problems such as shortness of breath, wheezing, or difficulty breathing in some individuals. This is because HGH can increase the size of the tongue and tonsils, which can obstruct the airways and make it harder to breathe, especially during sleep.
Additionally, HGH therapy can exacerbate pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or sleep apnea, which can increase the risk of respiratory failure.
- Back or stomach pain: HGH therapy can cause muscle and joint pain, including back pain and stomach pain. This is because HGH can stimulate the growth of bone, muscle, and connective tissue, which can put pressure on the joints and cause discomfort.
According to a study featured by Health Gains, HGH therapy has the potential to bring about an augmentation in lean muscle mass and alterations in muscle composition. This, on occasion, may lead to mild muscle discomfort or pain, particularly during the initial phases of treatment. In addition, some individuals who are engaged in HGH therapy may encounter joint pain, which can be attributed to changes in bone and connective tissue metabolism influenced by the treatment.
Additionally, HGH therapy can cause gastrointestinal side effects such as bloating, constipation, or diarrhea, which can lead to abdominal pain.
- Face, lips, tongue, or hands inflammation: Some individuals may experience swelling or inflammation in various parts of the body such as the face, lips, tongue, or hands. This can be due to an allergic reaction to the medication.
- Yet HGH brings another condition of retention of more fluids in the body. As your body increases fluid retention caused by HGH therapy you may notice swelling.Fluid retention can cause swelling in the hands, feet, or face, which can be uncomfortable and unsightly.
- Type 2 diabetes: GH therapy may stifle insulin action in tissues such as the liver. It thus results in an increase in glucose secretion by these organs, while decreasing blood sugar uptake from adipose tissues.
- Fingers, hands, and wrists numbness: HGH therapy can cause tingling or numbness in the fingers, hands, and wrists. This may be due to nerve compression caused by the increased muscle growth. The nerves in the hands and wrists can become compressed or pinched due to swelling or increased pressure, which can cause tingling, numbness, or weakness in the hands.
- Enhanced thirst and urination: HGH therapy can increase the body’s production of urine, which can lead to increased thirst and more frequent urination. This is because HGH can stimulate the kidneys to produce more urine, which can help flush out toxins and waste products. However, excessive urination can also lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and other complications.
- Breathe odor: Some individuals may experience bad breath or a metallic taste in the mouth due to HGH therapy. This is because HGH can increase the production of acids in the stomach, which can cause bad breath or a metallic taste. Additionally, HGH therapy can alter the composition of the oral microbiome, which can lead to oral health problems such as cavities or gum disease.
- Heart condition: Excessive HG hormone may cause cardiac hypertrophy. Excessive HGH is called acromegaly, where the pituitary also produces GH in addition to those availed by HGH therapy. This could progress to cardiac arrest.
- It has been found though, that for adults with deficient GH and experiencing dilated cardiomyopathy, HGH may be beneficial in inducing cardiac hypertrophy. It also causes a transient decrease in arterial blood pressure. This condition improves heart health.
- Nausea, vomiting, or allergic reactions: HGH therapy can cause nausea, vomiting, or allergic reactions in some individuals. This is because the body may perceive the synthetic hormones as foreign and launch an immune response, leading to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or rash. Additionally, HGH therapy can cause changes in blood sugar levels, which can lead to hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, both of which can cause gastrointestinal symptoms.
These side effects are rare, especially for individuals consulting a hormonal specialist. Besides these side effects, there are cancer and acromegaly risks that arise from taking high HGH dosage. HGH enhances cellular regeneration that’s why high HGH dosage can cause irregular bone growth and be suspected for cancer. Therefore, specialists take extra causations for dosage measurement and you cannot be that much cautious in case of taking HGH by yourself.
Aging is an obvious process, which is not under our control, but we all want to prevent this. Various body components act as anti-aging agents, but their underproduction may lead to an aging problem. Among these agents, one of the body hormones responsible for checking the age of people is the human growth hormone.
SIMILAR QUESTION
Is Growth Hormone Therapy Safe?
Introduction
Growth hormone therapy is a medical treatment that involves the administration of growth hormone (GH) to patients with a growth hormone deficiency. The therapy is highly effective in treating the condition and can help improve physical development and overall health in both children and adults. However, there are some potential risks associated with growth hormone therapy, and there is ongoing debate in the medical community about the safety of growth hormone treatment. This paper will review the evidence for and against the safety of growth hormone therapy, and discuss the potential risks and benefits associated with this treatment.
Evidence in Support of Growth Hormone Therapy Safety
There is a considerable amount of evidence in support of the safety of growth hormone therapy. A recent systematic review of the literature found that GH treatment was generally safe and well tolerated in both children and adults, with few serious adverse events reported. The review also found that there were no significant differences in the rate of adverse events between patients treated with growth hormone and those who were not. Additionally, several studies have found that growth hormone therapy can improve physical development and health outcomes in children with growth hormone deficiency.
Evidence Against Growth Hormone Therapy Safety
Despite the evidence in support of growth hormone therapy safety, there is also some evidence that suggests that growth hormone therapy may not be entirely safe. A meta-analysis of studies on growth hormone therapy found that there was an increased risk of certain metabolic and cardiovascular adverse events, including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, there have been reports of malignancies associated with growth hormone therapy, although the rate of these events is very low.
Conclusion
Overall, the evidence suggests that growth hormone therapy is generally safe and well tolerated in both children and adults with growth hormone deficiencies. However, there is some evidence that suggests that growth hormone therapy may be associated with certain health risks, and further research is needed to evaluate the long-term safety of this treatment. Therefore, it is important for patients to discuss the potential risks and benefits of growth hormone therapy with their healthcare provider before starting treatment.
