Human growth hormone (HGH) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that spurs growth in children and adolescents. It also helps regulate body composition, body fluids, muscle and bone growth, sugar and fat metabolism, and possibly heart function. HGH is available as a prescription drug that is administered by injection and is approved for treating short stature of unknown cause in children, poor growth due to a number of medical causes, and growth hormone deficiency in adults. However, HGH treatments may increase the risk of other medical conditions, and experts recommend against using HGH to treat aging or age-related conditions.
Some people use HGH, along with other performance-enhancing drugs such as anabolic steroids, in an attempt to build muscle and improve athletic performance. Yet HGHs effect on athletic performance is unknown, and the most common uses for HGH are not FDA-approved. Companies that market HGH products or products that claim to increase your body's own production of HGH in the form of pills and sprays claim they turn back your body's biological clock, reducing fat, building muscle, restoring hair growth and color, strengthening bones, and improving sleep. However, there is little evidence to suggest HGH can help otherwise healthy adults regain youth and vitality, and using HGH for a condition that isn't approved, such as building muscle or as an anti-aging treatment, is considered abuse.
In summary, HGH is primarily used to treat growth hormone deficiency in children and adults, poor growth due to a number of medical causes, and short stature of unknown cause in children. Using HGH for other purposes, such as building muscle or as an anti-aging treatment, is not recommended and can be harmful.
