Human growth hormone (HGH) is an essential hormone produced in the pituitary gland that plays a critical role in growth, cell repair, metabolism, muscle and bone strength, brain function, and more. As we age, HGH production naturally declines, leading to growth hormone deficiency (GHD) which can negatively impact energy, appearance, athletic performance, sleep, mood, cognition, and overall health.
Symptoms of GHD typically develop gradually over time and can include:
Fortunately, GHD is treatable through hormone replacement therapy with bioidentical human growth hormone injections. When administered properly under medical supervision, HGH therapy can help replenish depleted HGH levels, alleviate deficiency symptoms, and improve wellbeing.
HGH therapy offers a variety of evidence-based benefits when prescribed to treat diagnosed GHD, including:
HGH stimulates protein synthesis and metabolic processes to build lean muscle rather than fat. This helps strengthen muscles and bones for injury resilience while boosting metabolic rate.
By prioritizing fat burning for energy, HGH reshapes body composition to decrease harmful belly and organ fat while adding more lean mass. This can aid sustainable weight loss and maintenance.
With greater cardiovascular capacity, strength gains, and exercise recovery from HGH, individuals can push farther in their athletic training and sports performance.
HGH boosts collagen production for firmer, hydrated, youthful-looking skin with fewer wrinkles. It also thickens the hair and strengthens brittle nails. Denser, stronger bones also result from increased bone mineral density.
Many patients report deeper, more restorative sleep on HGH therapy, with reduced insomnia and fatigue. This gives the body opportunity to recharge and heal.
Balancing hormone levels can lift mood and ease anxiety and sadness. Enhanced cognition from HGH also sharpens mental clarity, memory, and ability to focus.
With more lean muscle mass and better sleep, the body can more effectively fight infections and heal from illness. HGH directly stimulates the thymus gland to produce immune cells.
Correcting hormone imbalances can lift libido while HGH improves genital sensitivity and performance. This allows many patients to enjoy intimacy again.
While not a “fountain of youth,” balanced HGH levels maximize cell regeneration and vitality for an overall anti-aging effect. This keeps the body biologically younger than its years.
Since low HGH shares symptoms with other conditions like hypothyroidism, it is important to test hormone levels to determine if GHD is present rather than guessing.
The endocrinologist will check for below-normal IGF-1 and HGH alongside other pituitary hormones using either serum blood tests or stimulation testing. Standard health screening is also prudent before starting hormones.
If test results confirm inadequate HGH accompanied by multiple symptoms, the doctor can officially diagnose GHD to develop the best treatment plan.
Keep in mind normal ranges are not “one size fits all,” as optimal HGH fluctuations throughout the day. An integrative doctor considers symptoms alongside lab work.
Once diagnosed with GHD, we can discuss whether HGH therapy is appropriate to help correct the imbalance.
Bioidentical human growth hormone is precisely replicated to match natural HGH molecular structure. Injecting it supplements the body’s low supply to achieve balance, like taking insulin for diabetes.
Omnitrope and Norditropin are common FDA-approved brands of recombinant human growth hormone, but compounding pharmacies can make customized blends.
HGH therapy involves subcutaneous injection 1-2 times daily using an ultra-thin needle into fat under the skin. Sites rotate each day between the abdomen, thighs, hips, and arms.
Starting dose depends on the severity of deficiency and needs adjustment through lab testing. Women typically use lower doses than men. Patience allows the best response.
Consistency matters so setting alarms, using an injection pen, or trying the ZomaJet autoinjector can simplify the process. We teach proper technique.
Unlike steroids, HGH therapy is not a quick fix or temporary boost. It requires at least 6 months commitment for the cumulative benefits to emerge because the positive changes happen slowly at the cellular level as cells regenerate.
When respecting physiology with careful dosing, screening, and monitoring under an experienced doctor, HGH therapy proves extremely safe for most people. Side effects are usually minor like brief headache, muscle soreness, or swelling at injection sites.
Yet underdosing fails to correct deficiency while overdosing or abuse can lead to side effects like joint pain, fluid retention, or insulin resistance. Starting low and going slow optimizes response.
Ongoing lab testing ensures ideal HGH and IGF-1 levels are achieved and maintained without excess. We determine appropriate timing for reevaluation based on the treatment plan.
HGH therapy has shown promise for improving bone density and body composition in older adults with age-related decline in growth hormone levels. However, some recent studies found no additional benefits for muscle strength or exercise capacity compared to placebo in healthy seniors taking synthetic HGH.
Because GHD develops gradually, many people fail to recognize early symptoms or do not prioritize addressing them. However, the degenerative complications compound over months and years if ignored, making treatment less effective and deficiency harder to correct.
Seeking properly diagnosis in a timely manner is key, as two years of GHD already reflects biological aging of 10-15 years. Restoring HGH before this deficit is established is ideal, but benefits still result at any age.
While lifelong HGH therapy may be needed in some cases, the goal is to rebuild natural balance so the body can resume some HGH production on its own. This means patients can potentially taper off treatment eventually unless deficiency recurs.
Either way, we tailor ongoing management of GHD through the emerging science of regenerative and anti-aging medicine. Supportive therapies further sustain gains from treatment.
The township of Irvington, New Jersey offers wonderful amenities to support rejuvenation and high quality of life during HGH therapy.
An active lifestyle optimizes HGH results through outlets like:
Caring for whole-person health enables thriving:
The change of seasons with spring sunshine also makes this an ideal time to commence HGH therapy.
While Irvington itself lacks testing laboratories, excellent facilities are available in nearby Montclair, West Orange, and Maplewood. We guide patients to the best locations for needed blood work and diagnostics during treatment.
Please reach out with any other questions! We are happy to help every step of the way.
