HGH, or human growth hormone, is naturally produced in your body throughout your life and offers incredible health benefits. While it supports growth in children, it continues to provide essential functions throughout adulthood and can even be used to treat specific conditions. The health benefits range from improved energy to muscle growth and anti-aging effects. It is also often used off-label to increase male sexual performance. Many health supplements are available over the counter at local stores and online. However, you must have a prescription to purchase HGH. Why is that the case?
Risk of Side Effects
Produced in the back lobe of the pituitary gland, human growth hormone is released regularly in small increments. It is also produced synthetically. This powerful hormone directly affects essential body functions. As a result, you can experience serious side effects if the health supplement is misused or abused. What are some of the possible side effects that you might experience with improper use of this hormone?
- Joint and muscle pain
- Swelling due to fluid retention
- Increased risk of diabetes
- High blood pressure
The doctor will review your health history before writing the prescription, including your diagnosed conditions and the results of recent blood tests. He or she will continue to monitor you while you use the supplement to identify developing issues. If concerning side effects develop, your doctor may adjust your dosage or advise you to stop taking human growth hormone.
Preventing Misuse and Abuse
While human growth hormone can cause potentially serious side effects when taken as prescribed, the supplement can also reduce your lifespan and cause permanent health issues if it is misused or abused. This includes accidental or intentional abuse.
Human growth hormone spurs the release of IGF-1, or insulin-like growth factor 1, in the liver. IGF-1 reduces fat stores throughout the body and promotes muscle growth. When someone takes too much of the hormone over a long period of time, diabetes and heart disease are more likely. In addition, acromegaly can develop, and this is irreversible. Acromegaly is associated with sleep apnea, arthritis, enlarged hands and feet, enlarged facial features, and even premature death.
Often, people take HGH because they believe it will improve their fitness and athletic performance. Whether used for this purpose, anti-aging benefits, or other recognized benefits, some people increase their dosage, boost the frequency or take the hormone for too long to enhance or prolong the benefits. Your doctor will monitor your health and manage your dosage to help you avoid the potential risks and complications associated with HGH misuse and abuse.
Depending on how long you take your human growth hormone supplement and the dosage, your body could become dependent on it. This can result in fatigue and weakness when you discontinue use. In some cases, people develop health issues that they did not have previously when they stopped taking the supplement. Your doctor will prescribe an appropriate dosage to minimize this risk.
Medical Conditions Requiring HGH
The incredible effects of human growth hormone in the body are commonly used to treat various health conditions. For example, doctors prescribe it to treat growth hormone deficiency in children and adults. Because of its effects on muscle growth, HGH is used to treat muscle-wasting diseases as well. Some hormone imbalances are also effectively treated with human growth hormone. In addition, the FDA has approved the supplement as a treatment for short bowel syndrome. Your doctor will monitor you regularly to ensure you respond positively to the treatment for your health condition. Adjustments to dosage or usage will be made by your physician as needed.
Dangers of Unregulated HGH
HGH is available from unregulated sources. While it may be easier to obtain the supplement without getting a prescription, this is ill-advised. There is a far greater risk of abuse or misuse when you are not taking the supplement under a doctor’s supervision.
It is important to note that not all human growth hormone products are equal. Numerous unregulated sources sell low-quality human growth hormones. Sometimes, the product is counterfeit and may not deliver the expected results. Because of the uncertainty about the quality of ingredients provided in an unregulated hormone supplement, your health and safety are at risk. The best HGH comes from legitimate sources and is only available with a prescription.
At Nexel Medical, we treat adult patients across the United States. Our team of experienced physicians can review your recent lab work and recommend hormone treatment. If you do not have recent lab work, we will assist you in locating a lab close to your home. To get started, complete the medical history form online, and we will contact you soon.
