Euro-Pharmacies Eurotropin 10 vials (10x 10 IU)

HGH – human growth hormone

Human growth hormone is a naturally produced hormone from the anterior pituitary gland, crucial for normal growth and development. Levels of GH are highest during late adolescence and gradually decrease after the age of 20. Over 40 years, growth hormone has been used to treat specific medical conditions, yet in recent decades there has been a surge in demand, particularly among middle-aged individuals seeking to combat aging, teenagers aspiring to enhance physicality, and athletes aiming for improved performance. Growth hormone is often abused in the sports community, ranking among the top three abused substances.

What Human Growth Hormone?

This key hormone, also known as HGH, hGH or GH, facilitates cell production, growth, and metabolic functions within the body. Secreted by the anterior pituitary, GH coordinates with other hormones to ensure proper human development, peaking at puberty and declining significantly by age 40.

Growth hormone is widely accessible at health food stores and alternative health practices, often marketed under various names including Genotropin®, Humatrope®, Norditropin®, Nutropin®, Saizen®, and Serostim®.

Pharmacology

Most available GH is synthesized through recombinant DNA technology, with types such as somatropin and somatrem exhibiting similar pharmacological properties. Upon injection, these synthetic forms act indistinguishably from natural GH, binding to GH receptors to stimulate diverse cellular activities. Physiological benefits encompass metabolism regulation, electrolyte balance maintenance, and increased muscle and skeletal mass, with levels typically rising during sleep, exercise, and stress.

In which conditions do GH levels change?

Abnormal GH levels can lead to severe medical conditions. Overproduction may result in acromegaly—characterized by enlarged extremities—or pituitary gigantism. In contrast, GH deficiency can lead to various short stature conditions, significantly impacting health.

Approved clinical uses of GH

The FDA has sanctioned multiple injectable formulations of HGH, available strictly via prescription. Initially approved in 1985 for treating GH deficiency, subsequent approvals have included conditions like Prader-Willi syndrome, renal insufficiency-induced short stature, Turner syndrome, and adult wasting syndromes such as AIDS. Evidence supports GH therapy in these disorders leading to:

• Enhanced muscle mass and bone density
• Reduction in body fat
• Improved mental clarity
• Enhanced exercise performance
• Increased cardiovascular endurance during stress/exercise

Dosage

GH is solely administered via injection, either subcutaneously or intramuscularly, delivering rapid action upon absorption. Dosing remains uncertain, often determined by IGF levels or based on body weight. Typical adult dosing ranges from 0.01-0.1 mg/kg, depending on usage and product type—available in powder or liquid forms, with the powdered variant requiring solubilization before injection.

Side effects of growth hormone

Potential side effects of GH usage may include:

• Generalized edema
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Joint and muscle pain
• Neuropathies (e.g., numbness and tingling)
• Elevated blood glucose levels

Does one require a prescription for GH?

GH can only be prescribed for FDA-approved conditions, with numerous off-label applications such as athletic enhancement and anti-aging treatments lacking official approval. The risks linked to altering GH levels must be carefully contemplated against potential benefits due to severe side effects.

Potential risks of taking GH

GH use carries overdose risks leading to conditions like acromegaly. GH may also promote unwanted cell proliferation, potentially leading to cancers like leukemia and prostate cancer. Less severe side effects include water retention, joint discomfort, and type 2 diabetes, prompting anti-aging patients to weigh risks against therapeutic advantages.

Off Label Use

Bodybuilding

Common off-label applications of GH include anti-aging measures and bodybuilding. Its illegal possession and sale are frequent in the athletics realm, with users facing challenges in discerning the most beneficial drugs since many combine GH with numerous other substances. Additionally, GH’s detection can be elusive, fostering its abuse. The cost of GH for bodybuilders can fluctuate from $500 to $2000 monthly, with the authenticity of the product often questionable.

Anti Aging

Another prevalent off-label application of GH is for anti-aging purposes, aimed at reducing wrinkles and rejuvenating appearance; however, it is not FDA approved for this intent. Lacking credible evidence of effectiveness in reversing skin aging, the popularity of GH has spawned a multimillion-dollar industry fueled by “copycat” products, often costing users between ten and twenty thousand dollars annually for genuine GH injections obtained in clinics or spas.

Availability

Many users obtain HGH through illegal sources. Instances of theft from pharmacies and unethical prescribing practices are not uncommon, with some smuggled in from other countries or acquired online from dubious pharmacies that often dispense prescriptions without consultations. While legitimate administration requires injection, various unregulated forms such as sprays and gels are marketed, although they offer minimal absorption.

Limitations of testing

Detecting synthetic GH post-administration poses challenges, as current methodologies fail to identify GH over 48 hours after injection, a fact well-known among athletes engaging in doping.

Sermorelin

Sermorelin, a counterfeit analog of the growth hormone-releasing hormone, stimulates GH production but is not detectable after a certain duration. Its effects require 3-4 weeks to materialize and do not present GH’s adverse effects, seemingly aiming at the aging demographic although ineffective as a GH substitute. Sermorelin’s costs range from $300 to $1000 monthly.

Control Status

The misuse of HGH has led to federal regulations curtailing its distribution. The 1990 Anabolic Steroids Control Act criminalizes GH possession and distribution, with severe penalties. Additionally, a 2007 proposal sought to schedule HGH under controlled substances, while the World Anti-Doping Agency classifies GH as a performance-enhancing substance, prohibiting its use among athletes.