Growth hormone fuels childhood growth and helps maintain tissues and organs throughout life. It’s produced by the pituitary gland — located at the base of the brain. Beginning in middle age, however, the pituitary gland slowly reduces the amount of growth hormone it produces. This natural slowdown has triggered an interest in using synthetic human growth hormone (HGH) as a way to stave off some of the changes linked to aging, such as decreased muscle and bone mass.
Deeper dive
According to the Mayo Clinic, there’s scant evidence to suggest human growth hormone can help otherwise healthy adults regain youth and vitality. In fact, using HGH is specifically not recommended to treat aging or age-related conditions.
Certain adults with true growth hormone deficiency, not connected to aging, may be prescribed HGH for specific medical purposes, like a tumor on the pituitary gland or problems with the hypothalamus, but these are rare instances. HGH is also approved as a treatment for HIV/AIDS in some adults. However it’s still unclear whether there are any long-term benefits for otherwise healthy adults.
While some studies show an impact on chronic disease or muscle mass, other research shows HGH can lead to serious side effects, including increased insulin resistance, swelling in arms and legs, joint and muscle pain, and in men, enlarged breast tissue. Some research suggests that side effects of human growth hormone treatments might be worse in older adults than in younger people. It isn’t clear whether these side effects could eventually dissipate or become worse.