What HGH is and Why We Need It
By Lisa Wells, RN
Human Growth Hormone (HGH or GH), whose medical name is somatotropin is a protein that is made up of a chain of 191 amino acids. It is one of the most abundant hormones secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland located in the brain. Once released by the pituitary gland it is quickly taken in by the liver and this prompts the liver to release growth factors, the most important one being IGF-1.
Growth factors are the messengers that carry the messages to the cells of the body. This communication regulates the growth of cells by telling them when to live and when to die. Cell reproduction slows unless the cells are prompted by the growth factors of HGH.
During the growth and development stage of life human growth hormone, by way of its growth factors, is responsible for the rapid new cell growth that builds the body. If children don't have enough HGH they will be shorter than normal and may develop dwarfism. If they have too much they may develop gigantism. If these children are treated in time they have a great chance of achieving normal physical development.
Once adulthood is reached HGH is still important in because it is our repair and rejuvenation hormone. Its growth factors, especially IGF-1 prompts the replacement of worn out and damaged cells.
Healthy levels of human growth hormone are also needed to sustain a strong immune system, good muscle/fat ratio, sharp senses, healthy thought processes and memory, as well as libido and sexual function. Unfortunately, as age progresses the pituitary gland releases lower and lower amounts of HGH into the bloodstream for the body to use.
Growth Hormone Decreases With Age
During young adulthood we still have an optimal amount of HGH and so we heal and recover quickly. However, in the mid 20's the release of growth hormone by the pituitary gland begins its slow decline.
Clinical studies have shown a direct correlation between decreasing HGH levels in adults and the effects of aging.
Decreased levels of growth hormone and other hormones reduce the body's ability to function properly. For instance, the growth hormones that are responsible for forming muscle mass; human growth hormone, testosterone, and DHEA all drop dramatically as we get older. For this reason, the amount of fat in the body usually increases and the amount of lean muscle usually decreases even if we exercise and eat properly, and even if we do not actually gain weight.
On average, after age 35 the amount of body fat expands by 50%, while the lean body mass (LBM) that forms muscles, bones, and the vital organs actually shrinks by 30%.
The amount of human growth hormone released by the pituitary gland after the age of 21 to 31 falls by about 14% per decade. This means that HGH in the body is reduced by half at age 60. On average 20 year olds have a level of about 500 mcg, 40 year olds have about 200 mcg, and 80 year olds have only about 25 mcg of HGH.1
We now know that the body literally breaks down and wears out due to the lack of hormones as age progresses, especially human growth hormone and its growth factors.
Growth Hormone Deficiency
Somatopause, is the medical term used when a patient doesn't have enough human growth hormone to sustain health. See below a link to our article about growth hormone deficiency.
Symptoms of Low HGH Include:
a loss of lean muscle and an increase of fat,
decreased energy levels, decreased stamina,
decreased socialization,
abnormal sleep patterns, awaking tired,
decreased libido, decreased interest in personal relations,
diminished memory,
decreased senses,
an increase in the number of colds and illnesses,
decreased healing ability,
wrinkling of the skin,
gray hair,
a greater risk of cardiovascular disease,
decreased bone density,
and other symptoms.
The Good News!
Some researchers now have the opinion that aging may not be programmed into our genes. Dr. Rudman's research using elderly men supported the idea that many of the effects of aging may not only be slowed but may even be reversed.2
Human growth hormone therapy is not just for those who are grossly deficient. As Dr. Rudman and his colleagues pointed out in their paper:
"In middle and late adulthood all people experience a series of progressive alterations in body compositions, including a loss of lean body mass, an increase in fat tissues, and atrophy of skeletal muscle, liver, kidney, spleen, skin, and bone. These structural changes have been considered unavoidable results of aging," they wrote. "It has recently been proposed, however, that reduced availability of HGH in late adulthood may contribute to such changes."
"In other words, everything we associate with aging, from middle-aged spread to shrunken, bend-over, frail, doddering senescence, may be due wholly, or in part, to the decline of human growth hormone."
Dr. Eve Van Cauter believes that we should not wait until our levels are very low to begin HGH therapy. She believes that people already have elderly levels of growth hormone by age 40, so it is much better to begin therapy at a younger age, before so much damage has been done.
How To Tell If Your HGH Is Low
Once the pituitary gland releases its "squirts" of human growth hormone into the bloodstream it is only there for a couple of minutes. It is taken in by the liver which causes the liver to release growth factors, including the important growth factor called IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1). In fact, most of the benefits associated with HGH are actually brought about as a result of IGF-1.
Since HGH remains in the blood for such a short time in order to measure it directly a stimulation test must be done, which is a long, involved and risky process. Because IGF-1 is more stable in the bloodstream and can accurately reflect the amount of HGH in the body it is usually the preferred method of measuring growth hormone in adults.
IGF-1 is a blood test your doctor can order or you may order online and do it at home.
Information about blood tests to check HGH.
Click to see the IGF-1 levels considered normal for age. Keep in mind however, we advocates of functional and anti-aging medicine believe that a hormone level considered normal for age is not the same as the level at which the body functions best.
Related Articles
Human Growth Hormone and the Aging Process
Growth Hormone Research and Scientific Studies
At What Age Should HGH Therapy Begin?
IGF-1: The Growth Factor of Health and Rejuvenation
More Articles About HGH, Anti-Aging, and Health by Lisa Wells, RN
Bibliography
1. Klatz, Ronald, Grow Young With HGH, HarperPerennial, 1997.
2. Rudman, Daniel, Feller, Axel G., et al, Effects of Human Growth Hormone in Men over 60 Years Old, The New England Journal of Medicine, July 1990.