If you have a human growth hormone (HGH) deficiency that has upended your life, you can take solace in knowing that you are not alone. Unfortunately, many people are deficient in these peptide hormones, which are responsible for stimulating growth, not to mention contributing to cell reproduction and cell regeneration in the human body. One study, in particular, revealed that more than 6,000 Americans are diagnosed with an HGH deficiency every year.
But do not worry as you can take medication such as sermorelin as it helps increase HGH levels. Another thing is that with the right sermorelin dosage it is effective at increasing lean muscle mass and reducing adipose tissue (body fat). One study proves that in elderly individuals found that higher levels of growth hormone led to an 8.8% increase in lean muscle mass and a 14% decrease in body fat and that was without a special exercising regimen! Of course, using it in combination with a balanced diet and an exercise regimen is ideal.
The same study further revealed that between 1 in 4000 and 1 in 10,000 people in America currently have such a hormone deficiency. It is also worth pointing out that, contrary to popular belief, aging is not the only contributing factor in cases involving human growth hormone deficiencies. In some cases, these deficiencies can be either congenital or acquired, meaning they can exist before birth and can continue to affect an individual’s life in adulthood. According to a study published by Medscape, an online resource for medical information aimed at clinicians, it is estimated that between 15 and 20 percent of growth hormone deficiency cases are made up of individuals who transitioned from having a childhood GH deficiency to an adulthood GH deficiency.
The Importance of Hormones in Our Lives
To contextualize just how important hormones are in our lives, it helps to know a little more about the endocrine system in the human body first. In short, the endocrine system houses eight hormone-secreting glands, including the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is responsible for secreting human growth hormones, which, especially during childhood and adolescence, play a crucial role in terms of bone and tissue growth in the body. And this explains why young children and teens experience growth spurts.
Of course, many of the things that make HGH crucial during childhood and adolescence are still of great importance in adulthood as well. And this goes back to the fact that these peptide hormones, irrespective of age, play a vital role in cell reproduction and cell regeneration. Instead of focusing almost exclusively on the development of healthy tissue and bones, which are essential during childhood and adolescence, growth hormones play an even larger role when it comes to homeostasis during adulthood.
Studies show that they do so by helping to build and repair tissue in vital organs, such as the heart and brain. They also aid in speeding up healing after an injury and allowing for faster repair of muscles and tissue after exercise, which can go a long way toward allowing individuals to achieve or maintain a healthy weight. And this is important since being overweight or obese is linked to a myriad of health problems. Some of the more notable ones, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), include the following:
- Hypertension
- Gallbladder disease
- Sleep apnea
- Osteoarthritis
It is also worth noting that individuals who are either overweight or obese tend to have a higher mortality rate compared to those who are of a healthy weight relative to their height.
Most Common and Dangerous Hormone Deficiencies
While testosterone, estrogen, and many other deficiencies are bad for one’s health, GH deficiencies are especially dangerous, according to Alan C. McCool, a well-regarded urologist based in Jasper, AL. And this is because they can impact many aspects of an individual’s life, from sexual desire and function to mental health and much more. To further illustrate this point, we need only take a closer look at some of the commonly reported symptoms associated with a growth hormone deficiency, which commonly get prescribed with injections like Genotropin HGH. According to many endocrinologists and even urologists, including Dr. McCool, common symptoms of a GH deficiency include the following:
- Anxiety and depression
- Insulin resistance
- Low energy levels
- Low libido
- Increased triglyceride levels
- An inability to focus
- Low bone density
- Skin problems
- A decline in muscle mass and overall strength
Although many of these symptoms are also associated with testosterone, estrogen, and even low progesterone levels, low growth hormone levels can increase what is known as low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Unlike high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which allows cholesterol to be absorbed by the liver so that it can eventually leave the body, low-density lipoprotein causes it to not only travel to but also block main arteries.
When this happens, it can lead to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, according to an article published by the CDC. Something else that makes growth hormone deficiencies especially dangerous is that they can trigger an increase in abdominal fat. In a study published by Harvard Health Publishing, researchers found that too much fat around the abdomen, also known as visceral fat, not only puts individuals at risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease but also the development of type 2 diabetes. Further, visceral fat has been linked to breast cancer in women, according to the same study data.
Bottom Line
The long and short of it is that hormones of all kinds play a critical role when it comes to our health and overall well-being. And a deficiency of any kind, especially one involving human growth hormones, should be corrected as soon as feasibly possible.