What is Human Growth Hormone used to Treat?
The widespread abuse of the human growth hormone (HGH) has led many State agencies formulating rigid guidelines. These guidelines have conditions listed for which HGH can be prescribed and conditions for which it can’t be prescribed.
The guidelines indicate for which medical conditions it is appropriate to prescribe HGH. The conditions include:
- children with growth failure who have proven levels of low or no growth hormone
- children with x ray showing poor bone growth and short stature
- adults who have growth hormone deficiency that may have resulted from radiation, surgery to the brain, trauma or some type of brain disorder
- growth failure that occurs with various other medical disorders like Prader Willi syndrome
- growth failure due to an unknown cause
- growth failure that occurs in children with kidney failure or those who have undergone a kidney transplant
- miscellaneous congenital/chromosomal disorders which also result in short stature (e.g. include Turner’s syndrome)
- Acquired immune deficiency syndrome. When AIDS is full blown the majority of the individual fail to thrive and lose a significant amount of muscle. Despite the anti viral therapy, these individuals continue to lose weight and show signs of wasting.
- Short bowel syndrome (Some individuals undergo surgery on their bowel and require resection. They are not able to eat any food afterwards because there is very little bowel left. These individuals require Intravenous nutrition for the rest of their life)
- Wound healing after burns. Some 3rd degree burns can cause severe delay in the healing of the wounds and it is hoped that use of HGH can help restore growth and healing of the scars
Human growth hormone is considered not medically appropriate for, but not limited to, the following conditions:
- AIDS in children
- Anabolic therapy to enhance body mass or strength
- Athletic performance enhancement
- To reverse aging
- Infertility
- Obesity
- Osteoporosis
To date there is no solid evidence that HGH can reverse or stop aging. Yet thousands of individuals spend millions of dollars trying to look for the fountain of youth. Supplements and nutrients all containing HGH are sold over the Internet with claims that they can do almost everything under the sun. Most of these are claims are based on quackery.
HGH therapy is not a cheap undertaking. Costs can average anywhere from $10-15K a year. All HGH requires a prescription from a physician. Most physicians (unless they are involved in the manufacture of HGH) will not prescribe HGH because of the known complications.
For the individual who wants to build his/her body, or lose weight, the best advice is to go to the Gym, jog or exercise. It is cheaper, safer and a lot healthier than any HGH magic pill.