Human growth hormone (HGH), also known as somatotropin, is a vital hormone produced in the pituitary gland that stimulates growth, cell regeneration and cell reproduction. As we age, our bodies typically produce less HGH. This reduction can lead to HGH deficiency which comes with several symptoms and health risks. Getting diagnosed and treated for HGH deficiency through HGH therapy has been shown to provide substantial benefits - helping you function, look and feel more youthful again.
Understanding the basics of what HGH is, why our levels decline, signs of deficiency, and how HGH treatments can help is key. This guide covers those essentials in depth so you can determine if HGH therapy is right for you. We'll also overview key therapy protocols and info about getting treated locally in Wakefield.
So let's get to it! Here's everything you need to know about HGH and HGH therapy...
HGH, or human growth hormone, is a key hormone produced in the pea-sized pituitary gland located at the base of the brain. Often called the "fitness hormone" or "youth hormone", HGH stimulates growth and cell reproduction, helping us build muscle mass and strengthen bones while also allowing injured tissue and cells to heal and reproduce.
In childhood and adolescence, HGH levels are naturally higher to power growth spurts and development. HGH creation continues into adulthood but production typically starts slowing down after age 30. This reduction over time can lead to moderate to severe growth hormone deficiency.
In addition to less HGH production as we get older, other factors like trauma, infections, tumors, radiation treatment or even chronic stress can impact HGH levels, potentially accelerating deficiency.
When our bodies don't make enough HGH, we experience unwelcome symptoms associated with aging like loss of muscle mass and bone density, increased body fat (especially abdominal fat), thinning skin and hair, decreased energy and endurance, reduced sex drive, mood changes and much more. These changes happen because without sufficient HGH, our bodies lose the ability to adequately power tissue growth, healing and cell regeneration.
As highlighted, reduced HGH production leads to many unwanted symptoms. Being able to recognize common deficiency signs is important so you can get properly diagnosed sooner.
Here are top indicators that your HGH levels may be too low and that getting treatment should be explored:
Keep in mind that suffering from one or more of these symptoms doesn't definitively mean you have HGH deficiency - many conditions share similar signs. But if you recognize multiple common indicators in yourself, it's wise to meet with a qualified hormone doctor to explore whether treatment may help resolve or reduce difficult symptoms.
Decades of medical research combined with clinical use in hormone therapy clinics has proven HGH therapy to be highly effective, delivering remarkable benefits, including:
It's clear why HGH is called the "youth hormone" - proper levels allow our bodies to function, heal and look much more youthful. HGH therapy delivers back those benefits.
Now that you better understand the importance of HGH and what happens when levels decline, let's overview the basics of growth hormone therapy:
HGH therapy involves medically supervised treatments designed to return lagging HGH levels back to adequate, healthy ranges. This is done through precisely calculated doses of biosynthetic human growth hormone medications.
Unlike anabolic steroids, bioidentical HGH therapy uses a genetically engineered, virtually identical replica of the growth hormone produced naturally in the body. As it's identical on a molecular level, when introduced via regular small injections, the body readily utilizes the additional hormone.
Doctors determine exact dosing protocols tailored to the patient's unique deficiency severity, treatment goals, age, height/weight and other health factors. Treatment plans start with lower doses which are gradually increased based on patient feedback and lab work showing blood plasma levels over time. The aim is to elevate lagging HGH to mid-level healthy ranges where benefits occur without side effects.
Most patients self-administer daily HGH shots at home following their doctor’s prescribed schedule. Tiny injections done using an ultra-thin needle causes little to no discomfort. Dose adjustments happen gradually over months based on clinical feedback and lab work.
Treatment typically continues long-term due to HGH's ongoing role in so many body processes. Patients need to follow their doctor’s advised protocol without abuse or overuse which can lead to side effects. When properly managed by an experienced hormone therapy clinic, HGH provides exceptional, lasting benefits.
Recognizing signs of declining HGH early on and promptly getting diagnosed is strongly advised. Like any hormone imbalance, the longer it goes untreated, the more symptoms worsen and health risks grow.
When our bodies don’t make enough growth hormone for 6 months or longer, a cascade of unwelcome changes accelerates:
Left unaddressed, worsening HGH deficiency also makes illnesses like cancer, infections and injuries increasingly life threatening. Our bodies depend on HGH to stimulate rapid healing and optimal immune function. Deficient systems can’t rebound well after health crises nearly as robustly.
Meeting with a qualified hormone doctor promptly after recognizing multiple deficiency signs maximizes treatment benefits and greatly reduces long term health dangers. Through personalized therapy, lagging HGH levels can be restored allowing better healing capacity and a much improved quality of life.
Recognizing common deficiency symptoms is the first indicator treatment may help. But confirming an actual shortfall requires specific medical tests. This section overviews the blood analysis and stimulation evaluations used to accurately diagnose lagging HGH.
The most definitive way to identify low growth hormone levels is through blood serum analysis. Using a simple blood draw, an endocrinologist can precisely measure existing HGH levels in the bloodstream.
Unlike most hormones, HGH production follows a unique pattern called a pulsatile rhythm. HGH is secreted in short intense bursts with very little hormone circulating otherwise. So random, one-time blood tests often miss peak bursts and may not reflect true deficiencies.
To reliably show possible inadequate HGH, doctors order a stimulation test. These specialized analyses trigger the pituitary to release a burst of growth hormone allowing clear measurement.
The three medically supervised evaluations used to accurately gauge HGH capacity are:
These medical tests performed under doctor supervision prompt sufficient HGH bursts confirming if inadequate levels exist. Thorough testing is the only way to definitively assess deficiency prior to starting treatment.
Once therapy begins with daily HGH injections, doctors order follow-up blood tests every 3-6 months to ensure dosing keeps levels in the optimal range. Testing may include IGF-1, PSA for men, Hemoglobin A1C, fasting blood glucose and cholesterol profiles.
This follow up lab work allows precise dose adjustments over time so patients experience full benefits without unwanted side effects. Ongoing testing combined with clinical feedback are key to balanced, effective long term HGH therapy.
Treating hormone imbalances like HGH deficiency takes extensive specialized expertise from a qualified hormone clinic. Located right here in Wakefield, Harmony Hormone Center has decades of proven clinical success helping patients restore lagging HGH to full, robust health through personalized therapy.
As an accredited outpatient facility, Harmony Hormone Center combines cutting edge bioidentical hormone treatments with integrated health evaluations from our on-site medical team. We offer patients exceptional care focused on their unique needs.
Our clinic also handles all prescriber coordination, pharmacy fulfillment, dosing guidance and follow up lab work making therapy seamless for you. We empower patients with the knowledge, tools and treatments for life changing results backed by evidenced outcomes.
Through our refined approach customized around your needs, goals and body, Harmony Hormone Center ensures HGH therapy delivers maximum benefits you’ll love with no hassles or confusion. We simplify the journey to feeling younger, healthier and more vibrant again!
As a long time Wakefield clinic, we understand the opportunities our community offers that can enhance your therapy experience. With a mild climate and access to walking paths, gyms, enrichment and more, Wakefield provides an ideal setting to integrate treatment into a balanced healthy lifestyle.
We advise patients to support their therapy through good self care basics like eating nutritious whole foods, staying active, reducing stressors and getting sufficient sleep. Wakefield offers abundant ways to embrace those wellness fundamentals.
Top local health resources we recommend patients utilize during treatment include:
While treatment does most of the fortifying work, engaging in this kind of regular nourishing self-care maximizes your improvements so you feel incrediably empowered in your renewed body. Our medical team provides all patients this type of lifestyle guidance customized to your needs for ideal therapy success!
“Medicine alone does not completely restore health. Proper diet & lifestyle is key.”
Along with HGH therapy, adopting some positive lifestyle adjustments better supports treatment so you achieve improvements faster and more completely. Our doctors provide specific recommendations to each patient for maximum benefits.
But several healthy habits we commonly advise patients focus on include:
Exercise - Regular movement fuels HGH's work transforming fat to muscle. Mix cardio, weights & stretching for 30-60 min daily. This could be gym sessions, home workouts or outdoor activities like brisk walking, cycling or swimming.
Nutrition - Provide your body excellent fuel through whole food anti-inflammatory diets high in produce, lean proteins and healthy fats. Hydrate well and cut out excess sugars, starches and fried foods.
Stress Reduction - Lower daily tension and stimulate relaxation through enough regular sleep, yoga, meditation, journaling, enjoyable hobbies or therapy if needed. This calms stress hormones so HGH can work at its best.
Limit Alcohol - Have no more than 1-2 small-sized drinks daily, if any. Too much alcohol spikes cortisol and estrogens creating hormone imbalance.
When you align these positive lifestyle factors with your tailored HGH therapy, your renewed zest and improvements feel incredibly empowering. Our team supports you fully in embracing the basics for health along your journey to feeling younger and vibrant again!
We hope this guide has helped you better understand the importance of HGH balance along with the proven benefits of properly managed growth hormone therapy through a qualified local clinic like Harmony Hormone Center Wakefield. If you see multiple symptoms of deficiency in yourself, take the next step - call us to explore treatment suited to your unique needs! Our friendly staff is glad to answer your questions and help you determine if HGH therapy is right for you. Don't wait as restoring lagging hormones gets harder over time - call Harmony Hormone Center Wakefield now to start your journey back to robust health!
While often associated with performance enhancement or anti-aging, HGH therapy was originally developed in the 1980s as a treatment for growth hormone deficiency in children. When given to those with medically diagnosed deficiencies, HGH can help normalize growth and development.
