Ivy Family Health Updates

 
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In this segment, Dr. Kathryn Martin discusses the use of human growth hormone for anti-aging with her brothers Drs. Edward and John Martin.

Human growth hormone or HGH, is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland in the brain. It is needed for normal growth and development in childhood. In adults, it regulates our fat vs. lean body mass. So if we have a true deficiency of HGH, this could lead to an increase in fat mass and a decrease in lean muscle mass.

Recently some doctors, clinics and spas have been proclaiming that HGH injections can help with anti-aging. They have been giving these very expensive injections to their clients, stating that it will help to reverse the aging process, and give you more energy. As we age there is a normal decrease in the amount of HGH produced. If a person does not exercise or is overweight, there will be an even larger decrease. The doctors promoting HGH injections state that this decline is a medical disorder, which is incorrect. A true HGH deficiency is extremely rare, and can only be diagnosed by doing a stimulation test of the pituitary. If you just check for the level of HGH in the blood, it is expected that it will be low due to aging. It is not a disease!

At this time there is no scientific evidence to support the claims being made by the physicians and anti-aging clinics doing these injections. Many clinical trials have been done, where healthy individuals who have the expected normal decrease in HGH, are given HGH injections. They do show a decrease in fat mass and an increase in muscle mass with time. However, when looking at athletes, even though there is an increase in muscle mass, there is no increase in performance and endurance, and no increase in strength. The benefits are also temporary, with a return to baseline after several months.

More important are the many side effects which can occur. A large percentage of people receiving the injections will get swelling, carpal tunnel syndrome, and there is an increased risk of diabetes and hypertension. There is also a theoretical risk of HGH stimulating the growth of tumors.

Because of the risks, the Endocrine Society recommends HGH injections ONLY for people with a severe deficiency of growth hormone, such as after a pituitary tumor since the risks so heavily outweigh the benefits. It should not be used for anti-aging. Before starting on a series of expensive, dangerous injections, you should see an endocrinologist!