Human growth hormone (HGH) is an important hormone produced in the pituitary gland. As we age, HGH production naturally declines, leading to unpleasant symptoms like decreased muscle mass, increased body fat, low energy, and more. Many refer to this decline as Somatopause.
While some amount of HGH reduction is normal with aging, an abnormally low level is considered growth hormone deficiency (GHD). GHD affects approximately 30% of people over 60 and can greatly reduce one's vitality and quality of life.
Diagnosing GHD typically involves blood tests, medical history, and evaluation of symptoms. Common blood tests look at IGF-1 and ghrelin levels.
Treating GHD often includes HGH injections to restore hormone levels, as well as lifestyle changes to support health. When properly diagnosed and treated, patients report substantial improvements in energy, body composition, cholesterol, bone density, mood, and more.
HGH therapy uses bioidentical growth hormone injections to treat growth hormone deficiency. Somatropin is the synthetic version most commonly used.
When absorbed by the body, HGH instructs the liver to produce Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1), which mediates many of HGH's vital effects. It can take 3-6 months to restore optimal IGF-1 levels through HGH therapy.
Patients over 30 with growth hormone deficiency are often good candidates for HGH therapy. Those with hypertension, diabetes, or a history of cancer should exercise caution when considering treatment.
Ideal patients have low IGF-1 alongside symptoms like persistent fatigue, anxiety, joint pain, and undesired body composition changes. A qualified hormone specialist can help determine if HGH therapy is appropriate after thoroughly evaluating lab tests and medical history.
When properly administered, HGH therapy can provide remarkable improvements in energy, body composition, bone health, cholesterol profiles, mood, skin thickness, and more. Benefits typically become noticeable after 3-6 months of treatment and continue to accrue over the first year.
Growth hormone plays an integral role in building and maintaining lean muscle mass. It also instructs the body to burn fat for fuel.
HGH injections can essentially reverse the age-related trend towards decreased muscle and increased body fat. Most patients enjoy visible improvements in muscle tone and a reduction in stubborn fat deposits.
Declining HGH contributes to profound fatigue and exercise intolerance as we get older. Restoring growth hormone levels can provide tremendous improvements in energy, endurance and vitality.
Most patients report feeling 10-15 years younger after several months of HGH therapy. Activities like walking, gardening, golfing, exercising, and playing with grandchildren become easier and more enjoyable.
Growth hormone directly stimulates osteoblasts, the cells responsible for bone formation. GHD patients often suffer from osteopenia and osteoporosis.
HGH therapy strengthens bones through increased collagen production and mineral absorption. Patients report substantial reductions in back pain, greatly improved bone density scans, and fewer fractures.
Abnormally low HGH predicts earlier onset of cardiovascular disease. GHD hastens plaque buildup in arteries.
However, growth hormone has uniquely protective effects for the heart and vessels. HGH therapy lowers LDL and triglycerides while elevating HDL cholesterol. Blood pressure and inflammatory markers also tend to improve.
Insufficient HGH contributes to anxiety, social isolation and depression - all of which erode mental sharpness over time.
HGH therapy enhances mood through boosted energy, improved body image, and better sleep. Concentration and memory also tend to improve, especially when combined with a brain-healthy lifestyle.
The wide range of aging-reversal effects from properly administered HGH therapy is truly remarkable. When combined with a healthy lifestyle, most patients achieve a level of vitality they never expected possible again.
Human growth hormone is almost always administered through simple subcutaneous injections. While oral forms do exist, injection ensures higher bioavailability. Somatropin injections are extremely safe with few side effects when properly dosed.
Injection sites rotate between the abdomen, thighs, hips, arms, and butttocks. Using an autoinjector pen or very fine needle renders the process nearly painless. Consistency is important - most patients inject growth hormone every evening before bed.
Dosing must be tailored to the individual based on symptoms, labs, and body composition. Most patients inject between 1-3 international units daily. Men often require higher doses than women. It can take months to optimize one's dosage through patient feedback and blood tests.
Ramping up dosage slowly reduces side effects like joint pain or fluid retention. Starting with as little as 0.1 IU daily allows the body to adjust. Your hormone specialist will help customize injection guidance unique to your needs.
Duration of treatment depends on the severity of deficiency and response to therapy. Patients with lifelong GHD may inject growth hormone indefinitely. Those with milder cases could potentially take breaks from treatment after 6-24 months.
Be sure to work closely with your hormone specialist to develop the ideal injection protocol and dosage adjustments over time. Consistency is essential in realizing the many benefits of growth hormone therapy.
While often associated with athletes looking to gain an edge, HGH therapy is increasingly being used as an anti-aging treatment. Multiple studies show it can help reduce body fat, increase muscle mass and bone density. However, potential side effects like joint pain and diabetes risk mean it's not yet FDA-approved for anti-aging.
* Persistent, unexplained fatigue * Anxiety, depression or declining sociability * Muscle loss and strength declines * Joint aches and pains * Unwanted weight gain, especially increased belly fat * Thinning and dry skin * Poor healing and recovery
If you've noticed multiple such symptoms (3 or more) that adversely impact your daily life, GHD could be a factor.
Key lab markers help accurately identify abnormally low growth hormone. Tests to evaluate include:
2 or more suboptimal results help confirm GHD. Your hormone specialist will also consider medical history and risk factors like head injuries, radiation exposure or pituitary disorders.
Treating hormone imbalances requires an integrative, meticulous and patient-centered approach. That's why Renew Hormone Clinic leverages the latest testing and therapies while emphasizing lifestyle, mindset and non-pharmaceutical support.
We help patients explore a full range of tools to not only balance hormones, but enhance wellbeing across many areas of health and performance. Renew Hormone Clinic' unique offerings include:
Accurately assessing current hormone levels and overall biomarkers through blood, saliva, stool and genetic tests represents a cornerstone of our process. This provides clarity while enabling highly customized treatment plans.
A thorough evaluation allows our practitioners to design a tailored hormone regimen to fit your unique needs and objectives. We offer a wide range of delivery methods and sourcing options to match differing budgets and comfort levels.
We provide personalized recommendations to support healthy hormone function through improved sleep, stress management, exercise, nutrition and toxin reduction. Our goal is to give patients the knowledge and tools to sustain excellent health with or without medications.
Understanding the complex dynamics of hormone balance and optimization requires extensive learning. We offer a variety of teaching formats and science-based resources to turn patients into experts.
Our welcoming clinics provide an accessible, comfortable environment for consultations, testing, injections or other therapies. We pride ourselves on prompt communication and service for your convenience.
Renew Hormone Clinic' multifaceted, patient-empowering methods aim to help you reclaim the vitality you deserve while developing optimal health habits for life.
Lewis Center features over 300 days of sunshine annually across four beautiful seasons. This temperate climate, along with great parks, walking trails and recreation centers make it an ideal location for HGH therapy success.
Patients find getting lab tests locally quick and convenient through companies like AnyLabTestNow and regional branches of national labs. Popular walking spots like Hoover Reservoir Park and Highbanks Metro Park provide plenty of relaxation while also facilitating HGH's fitness benefits.
For those looking to develop strength and lean mass from growth hormone therapy, facilities like Life Time Fitness, LA Fitness and the local YMCA offer everything needed.
Consider timing therapy initiation in spring or early summer to take advantage of extended daylight, warmer weather and opportunities to be active outdoors. This aligns perfectly with HGH's positive effects on mood, energy and weight loss.
While Lewis Center itself lacks a downtown area, nearby Westerville, Powell, New Albany and Worthington offer excellent dining, shopping and evening entertainment options. The charm of these small cities combined with Columbus' big city amenities make this an ideal location to enjoy HGH therapy's rejuvenating effects.
Addressing growth hormone deficiency can profoundly enhance quality of life as we age. When properly diagnosed, HGH therapy helps reverse many unwanted effects of Somatopause to restore youthful energy levels, body composition, skin quality and more.
However, realizing these remarkable benefits requires working with a highly-qualified hormone specialist for testing, customized treatment plans and lifestyle guidance. If you relate to the symptoms and lab indicators covered here, we encourage you to reach out to Renew Hormone Clinic for a consultation.
Our integrative methods aim to help patients renew vibrancy and overall wellbeing through sustainable, multipronged care. Discover your potential today by taking the first step - we look forward to serving you!
