Human Growth Hormone Controversy: Dispelling the Myths

There has always been a degree of controversy surrounding genetically engineered substances and their uses.  Human Growth Hormone is no different.  There are opponents that would like to see its use brought to a halt altogether.  There are also HGH opponents who consider that use of the hormone for treatment of medical conditions is acceptable, but that HGH replacement therapies for anti-aging, weight loss or other purposes is wrong.  This latter group perhaps corresponds with a way of thinking that defends the course of nature (as in accepting what comes with aging, etc.).  It is impossible for any treatment or therapy to satisfy every individual’s philosophy, as we are all different.  It is however, important to address some of the most common doubts that people have about Human Growth Hormone and its uses.  

Myth #1: HGH is Too Expensive or Difficult to Get

It is true that traditional Human Growth Hormone therapies such as are prescribed by endocrinologists for people with Growth Hormone Deficiency require medical testing as well as daily dosing, which definitely comes with a hefty price tag.  Let’s take, for example, the case of a child with Idiopathic Short Stature (ISS).  It would cost as much as $100,000 for that child to grow an average of two inches using Human Growth Hormone therapy over the course of five years.  Even if you break the dollar amount by year, a family with a child suffering from ISS would be looking at $20,000 per year.

Of course, we are looking at the traditional use of Human Growth Hormone in a medical context.  Perhaps the family’s medical insurance would help foot the bill for such expensive therapy, but what about the average Joe who wants to feel and look younger (and better)?  Before a doctor will prescribe HGH therapy, he or she will generally refer a patient to an endocrine specialist.  After this, several tests are performed to determine if HGH is necessary and appropriate.  Many doctors, subscribing to the philosophy that if it isn’t absolutely necessary it shouldn’t be used, won’t prescribe the hormone unless there is a marked deficiency.

While it is true that in the past Human Growth Hormone has been difficult to get and expensive at best, there are several different options that can help people who need or want HGH get it at a price that they can afford.  

Dispelling the Myth

Catching on to the draw of what many refer to as “the fountain of youth,” there are many different sources of Human Growth Hormone today.  An entire new school of medicine devoted to anti-aging and preserving youthfulness has emerged, not only in the United States but also all over the world.  These doctors and anti-aging clinics are a great start because they will generally take a look at one’s entire medical history and outlook first.  Of course, this is not the cheapest way to get started, but it is a good way to determine if taking Human Growth Hormone is a healthy and viable option.  Once you have tried HGH replacement therapy and know that it works for you, you can move on to an easier and cheaper way of getting the hormone.

Fortunately, medical doctors and anti-aging clinics are not the only ones that caught the HGH wave.  Pharmaceutical laboratories all over the world have started formulating the hormone using the recombinant technology for profit.  The mass production of Human Growth Hormone has proliferated into a steady and affordable supply of HGH injections, sprays and compounds, tablets and pills available to the general public.  Simply performing a search engine query on keyword terms such as “buy HGH” or Human Growth Hormone supplements” will provide a list of online sources greater than you could imagine.  

Myth #2: HGH for Anti-aging is Not Medically Legitimate

Most humans have some degree of respect for nature.  Some place more emphasis on nature “running its course” more than others.  Just as some women are perfectly content to “grow old gracefully,” others prefer to fight it all the way.  The problem is that zealous naysayers may feel strongly that using medicine that is essentially altering a human’s hormonal composition for purposes they themselves view as vain is wrong.  When these opponents of HGH start talking about their views forcefully in the media or on the Internet, they may present the facts in ways that support their case but are not necessarily accurate.  It is common for a young, generally healthy individual to believe that a person in his sixties who has started losing energy and vitality should simply accept the fact that it’s a new season in life and it must be accepted.  However, for that 65-year old man, things can look quite different.  Perhaps he would see the increased quality of life that HGH replacement therapy could provide as medically necessary.  

Dispelling the Myth

Aging in and of itself can be a very painful and physically trying process.  There are many different symptoms and signs of aging, some more painful and uncomfortable than others.  Some of the indications of aging that many report as painful and uncomfortable include:

• Overall decrease in vitality and vigor (this can be psychologically painful as well as physically)

• Reduced stamina and tendency to tire easily

• Sleep patterns are disrupted

• Decline in memory

• Loss of skin elasticity, increased wrinkling and brown spots

• Hair loss

• Decreased vision and hearing

• Decreased sex drive

• Sexual dysfunction

• Urinary problems

• Abdominal obesity and difficulty in losing weight

The truth is that aging today is different than aging in any other era.  Before the 1930’s, people would only live until the age of 50 or 60.  In 1950, the life expectancy at birth in the United States was between 65 and 70.  Today, the life expectancy age is 78.  That is an average of eight to 13 more years of life and many live beyond that.  The main reasons for this extension of life expectancy are advancements in medicine, awareness of life factors such as diet and exercise, not smoking, etc. as well as newer technology and greater comfort. 

Because the average human lives longer, he or she has more years in their Golden Years than humans ever have before.  Living in comfort and health in one’s Golden Years can save a long and happy story from deteriorating into a sad ending.  It is important that extra emphasis be put on living in comfort and pain free as an older adult.  Since Human Growth Hormone has been proven to provide alleviation of many of the symptoms listed below, it can help provide freedom from pain and is thus medically legitimate.  

Myth #3: HGH Side Effects Outweigh the Benefits

There have recently been stories in the media or online articles detailing horror stories of side effects associated with Human Growth Hormone therapy.  Opponents of using HGH for anti-aging or otherwise have been quick to inflate these isolated situations and generalize the results to a broader scale.  More than a few of these sensationalized stories involve cases where Human Growth Hormone was being abused.

As with almost every effective medical treatment, there are some possible side effects that one must be aware of.  We’ll review and detail the possible side effects in Chapter 7.  Before considering the use of HGH replacement therapy, one must make sure to familiarize oneself fully with the possible side effects, the more infrequent serious side effects, and the warning signs.   

Dispelling the Myth

Many of the possible side effects associated with Human Growth Hormone therapy therapy are not in any way detrimental to overall health nor do they pose any risk of long-lasting damage.  In fact, the low-dosage amounts of Human Growth Hormone used for anti-aging purposes have rarely brought on any serious side effects.  The most common side effects of joint pain, swelling, carpal tunnel syndrome and risk of diabetes occurred to a very small percentage of people using HGH and only occurred with higher dosages administered over a long term.  With the incidence of side effects being so low, and the fact that most of the possible side effects themselves are not that serious, many aging individuals deduce that the benefits outweigh the risks.  

Myth #4: Human Growth Hormone is Dangerous

It is true that Human Growth Hormone is not for everyone.  Certain people should definitely not take HGH supplements.  We will go over who is and isn’t eligible to use HGH in Chapter 7.  Even if you do not fall into the category of persons who shouldn’t take HGH, it is highly recommended that you begin use of Human Growth Hormone therapy or supplements while under the supervision of a doctor.  Low-dosage Human Growth Hormone used in moderation has not been proven to have any serious adverse effects except in isolated incidents.

Dispelling the Myth

While opponents of using Human Growth Hormone for anti-aging or weight loss like to sensationalize rare incidences in order to generalize about HGH use, the fact is that that’s all they are – rare incidences. GH has been used in the medical community for over three decades with success and has over 60 years of study. Normal HGH use has not been attributed to a single death. Edmond Chein, M.D., and L. Cass Terry, Ph.D., tested over 800 individuals over the age of 40 and reported in their 1995 study that when used correctly, HGH had substantial benefits and no side effects. Also, a very significant fact is that there were no reported cases of cancer among all their patients.