Growth hormones: Uses, common brands, and safety info

Growth hormone injections are a life-changing treatment for children who are deficient in the hormone. The therapeutic niche of this medication has broadened with its use for children with chronic illnesses that restrict growth. The benefits in adults are more limited, so the high cost of this drug class is less often warranted. We will delve into the uses of growth hormone in different conditions and age groups, while also reviewing the cost and side effects of growth hormones.

What are growth hormones?

Growth hormone (GH) is naturally produced in the pituitary gland, which sits at the base of the brain. The pituitary has other functions as well, such as helping to control the thyroid and adrenal glands. Throughout our life, growth hormone release stimulates our body to increase in size and strength, particularly by increasing muscle and bone formation. The gene for growth hormone has been cloned, and by using the gene as a blueprint and using bacterial cells as the builders, recombinant growth hormone can be manufactured to use as a medicine.

How do growth hormones work?

Given as a daily injection, recombinant growth hormone can restore normal growth for children whose bodies do not produce enough growth hormone or whose underlying diseases have prevented normal growth. This must be accomplished before the child’s growth plates have closed after puberty. The drug achieves these effects by stimulating muscle and bone growth. It also decreases the amount of fatty tissue, and collectively, these changes can lead to an increase in lean body mass and an increase in exercise capacity. The added bone density or strength might reduce the risk of broken bones, although this has not been proven.

Cholesterol changes are common during treatment with growth hormone. Some studies have demonstrated a reduction in the amount of bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein or LDL), which raised hopes for reducing heart disease risk. However, other studies have not shown this change in LDL.

Recombinant human growth hormone therapy is typically prescribed by a hormonal expert, an endocrinologist. Testing for growth hormone deficiency can be a challenge to start with, and furthermore, growth hormone treatment must be done carefully, utilizing repeat blood tests and monitoring of growth hormone levels to assure that the dosing is accurate.

What are growth hormones used for?

• Congenital GH deficiency (genetic cause that one is born with)

• Acquired GH deficiency (caused by pituitary damage from issues such as a pituitary tumor, radiation, or trauma)

• Short stature for unknown reasons

• Short stature related to being small at birth

• Short stature related to chronic kidney failure

• Short stature related to genetic disorders like Noonan Syndrome, Prader Willi Syndrome, Turner Syndrome, or SHOX gene variants

• HIV or AIDS-related muscle loss and weakness

Who can take growth hormones?

Children with a qualifying condition

Pediatric patients can receive growth hormone therapy when they have a qualifying condition.

Adults with deficiencies

Adult men and women can take growth hormone injections if they are deficient, but there is debate over when to use them. Most experts agree that children who have been on growth hormone can continue it in adulthood. For adults who develop deficiency anew, the increase in bone and muscle mass may not be enough of a benefit for all experts to recommend treatment.

Caution in seniors

Seniors have an increased risk of side effects from growth hormones, so the use of these drugs is much less common in this demographic. This drug should not be used as an anti-aging method.

Are growth hormones safe?

Restrictions

Healthcare providers may restrict the use of growth hormones in the following cases:

• Those with hypersensitivity to growth hormones or any component of the injection should not take them.

• Individuals with active cancer or a brain lesion should not take growth hormones.

• Children with closed growth plates and individuals who are critically ill or injured should avoid these drugs.

• Individuals with diabetic eye complication retinopathy should not take growth hormones.

• Prader-Willi patients who have a severe respiratory infection, obstruction of the airway, severe obesity, or sleep apnea should avoid growth hormones.

• Individuals with brain tumors, spinal radiation history, heightened cancer risk, underactive pituitary or adrenal or thyroid gland, diabetes, obesity, spinal curvature, Turner syndrome, or Noonan syndrome should use growth hormones with caution.

Can you take growth hormones while pregnant or breastfeeding?

Growth hormones are typically not given during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to the limited amount of studies on their use during these times.

Are growth hormones controlled substances?

While growth hormones are not listed as controlled substances by the DEA, they are listed in the 1990 Anabolic Steroid Control Act and listed as performance-enhancing substances by the International Olympic Committee. Human growth hormone (HGH) is one of the banned doping methods athletes may use to gain unfair athletic performance in competitions.

Growth hormones side effects

• Allergic reactions

• Development of a second cancer

• Diabetes mellitus or elevated glucose (blood sugar)

• Underactive thyroid

• Elevated brain pressure

• Pancreas inflammation

• Worsening scoliosis (spinal curvature)

• Hip complication in children (slipped capital femoral epiphysis)

• Sudden death in complicated Prader-Willi patients

• Swelling or fluid retention

• Joint pain, bone stiffness, or muscle aches

• Numbness

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Breast enlargement in men

• Carpal tunnel syndrome 

• Ear infections in Turner syndrome patients

How much do growth hormones cost?

A single month of growth hormone therapy can cost more than a thousand dollars, depending on the formulation and dosing. Since growth hormone treatment is often continued indefinitely, the lifetime cost is substantial. The SingleCare discount card can help to bring down the cost of growth hormones.