How Dangerous Can HGH Get? Is There A Limit? What Alternatives Are There?

✓Medically Reviewed By: Megan Soliman, MD

Last Updated on July 26, 2024

Human growth hormone, or HGH, as it is commonly known, is an essential amino acid-based hormone that controls the growth and development of our body. Produced by the pituitary gland, HGH plays a crucial role in cell regeneration, growth, and maintaining healthy human tissue, including the brain and various vital organs. Unfortunately, as we age, there is a steep decline in the secretion of this growth hormone by the pituitary gland, causing a deficit.

There is a natural decline in HGH production as we age. By the age of 40 years, there is an 80% decline of HGH in the body, which is why many seek supplementation methods to maintain or increase their HGH levels. However, it’s essential to understand both the potential benefits and risks associated with HGH supplementation before considering its use.

HGH supplements are available in three primary forms: oral pills, sprays, and injections. While oral HGH supplements are generally considered the safest to use, the use of injections is known to cause some severe side effects. HGH injections contain synthetic growth hormone that is directly introduced into the bloodstream, which can cause problems with the biological workings of the body, resulting in some severe side effects.

Understanding the potential dangers and limitations of HGH supplementation must start with why so many people want HGH supplements.

Let’s explore the claimed benefits of HGH that have made it a topic of interest in health and fitness circles.

Benefits of HGH

HGH benefits go beyond the physical needs of the body and improve mental as well as emotional well-being. The growth hormone is needed to build muscle and bone cells; it enhances the division and multiplication of these cells. It results in the mineralization of bones and muscle mass increase through sarcomere hyperplasia. By improving hormone levels, it calms the brain and boosts emotional health.

Some of the reported benefits of optimal HGH levels include:

Increased muscle strength: HGH stimulates collagen synthesis in the skeletal muscle and tendons, increasing muscle strength and improving exercise performance.
Better fracture healing: The hormone can speed up the regeneration of bone, making it a crucial part of bone healing after a fracture.
Enhanced weight loss: HGH accelerates lipolysis, the breakdown of lipids, and can help reduce body fat, particularly visceral fat.
Stronger bones: It plays a crucial role in regulating bone growth, especially during puberty.
Improved cognitive function: Some studies suggest that HGH might help improve cognitive function, especially in HGH-deficient individuals.
Better sleep: Growth hormone is produced in a pulsatile manner, typically with the onset of sleep, and is necessary for quality sleep.
Improved mood and quality of life: Many users report an enhanced sense of well-being when their HGH levels are optimized.

Unsurprisingly, all these HGH benefits sound appealing, but it is essential to understand that these primarily occur due to prescription HGH. At the HGHExpert clinic, we recommend HGH therapy primarily to individuals with diagnosed HGH deficiency. For those with normal HGH levels, the benefits of supplementation are less clear and must be weighed against potential risks.

Dangers of HGH Supplements

Like any other supplements, abusive or addictive use of HGH supplements can result in severe side effects. Synthetic HGH injections also contain anabolic steroids that can negatively impact body growth and development. It is the presence of steroids in injections that causes severe side effects. These steroids are not easily absorbed by the body. As a result, they can remain for too long in the blood or organs, thereby turning toxic after some time. The side effects that can result are severe, ranging from balding to nausea to excessive paranoia.

Not only men but women can also be adversely affected by the use of synthetic HGH or when not used as directed. In women, steroids can result in excessive facial hair growth and deepening of voice. Irregularities in the menstrual cycle and enlargement of the clitoris can also result in some women.

The dangers of HGH supplementation, mainly when misused or abused, can be categorized into several areas:

Cardiovascular risks:

Enlargement of the heart (cardiomegaly)
Increased risk of heart failure
High blood pressure

Metabolic complications:

Insulin resistance, potentially leading to type 2 diabetes
Abnormal lipid profiles

Orthopedic issues:

Joint and muscle pain
Increased risk of repetitive stress injuries
Carpal tunnel syndrome

Cosmetic problems:

Acromegaly (abnormal growth of hands, feet, and facial features)
Enlarged organs, including the liver and kidneys
Swelling of soft tissues (edema)

Increased cancer risk:

- Some studies suggest a potential link between elevated IGF-1 (a hormone stimulated by HGH) and certain types of cancer

One of the most significant risks of HGH injections is their unregulated effect on excessive production of IGF-1 concentrations, and this may result in many side effects like diabetes, muscle pain, arthritis, carpal tunnel-like symptoms, swelling in legs and arms, bloating, arteries getting hard, abnormal bone and organ growth, high blood pressure, etc. For all these issues and more, HGH injections should be taken prudently and with consultation from a qualified medical professional who has much experience in treating such a kind of hormonal deficiency.

Is There a Limit to HGH Use?

As with any other supplementation, there is a limit for HGH supplements, too. Now, recommending a “safe limit” is impossible without profiling an individual. At HGHExpert, we always convey to our patients that the concept of a “safe limit” for HGH use is complex and depends on various factors:

Individual physiology: Each person’s body responds differently to HGH, making establishing a universal safe dose challenging.
Purpose of use: Therapeutic doses for diagnosed HGH deficiency differ from doses used for performance enhancement or anti-aging purposes.
Duration of use: Long-term use, even at lower doses, can accumulate risks over time.
Monitoring and supervision: Regular medical check-ups and blood tests are crucial to monitor the effects of HGH and adjust dosage accordingly.

For therapeutic use for adults with diagnosed HGH deficiency, we prescribe dosages typically ranging from 0.2 to 1.0 IU per day. However, doses used for performance enhancement or anti-aging purposes often exceed these medical guidelines, increasing the risk of side effects.

Go for natural HGH supplements.

So, with all these dangers of abusively using HGH injections, it is better to opt for some homeopathic or natural HGH releasers that do not have any synthetic or harmful ingredients in them, and they just help trigger the pituitary gland to secrete HGH on its own. With such natural HGH supplements, you can be certain of not harming your body or overall health.

Before plunging into buying such HGH for-sale supplements, it is always a good option to ask for the same from your medical practitioner, and he or she will be able to tell you the best HGH releaser as per your medical condition. The sprays and pills available are safe, but always be sure which one you use and whether they are naturally made or not. Various releasers out there have all safe and natural ingredients in them. Such products are the best to use as they do not do any harm to your well-being.

Natural Alternatives to Synthetic HGH

There are HGH releasers that can help people without clinical HGH deficiency to boost their natural growth hormone levels. Effective HGH supplements have potential amino acids and natural extracts that stimulate the pituitary gland. When considering natural HGH supplements, look for products that contain ingredients known to support HGH production, such as:

L-Arginine: An amino acid that has been shown to increase HGH levels.
L-Glutamine: Another amino acid that may help stimulate HGH release.
L-Glycine: This amino acid may help improve sleep quality, indirectly supporting HGH production.
GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid): A neurotransmitter that may help increase HGH levels.
Mucuna Pruriens: An herb containing L-DOPA, a dopamine precursor, which may help increase HGH release.

Natural HGH supplements are generally safer than synthetic HGH, but they should still be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Some natural HGH supplements we trust for our patients include GenF20 Plus, Sytropin, HyperGH 14X, etc. Still, we would say that before you try any product, it is better to read customer reviews and feedback and then choose.

There are many products as well that offer a money-back guarantee, so you can try them for a few months and check for yourself if you experience any benefits or not. Moreover, buying the authentic product from the original manufacturer’s site is the best option as it slashes out the possibility of getting any fake product at a high price.

Additionally, some lifestyle changes can also help support your body’s own HGH production. Here are the lifestyle changes you must make to facilitate natural HGH secretion:

Optimize sleep: Most natural HGH production occurs during deep sleep. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): Short bursts of intense exercise have been shown to stimulate HGH release.
Intermittent fasting: Some studies suggest that intermittent fasting can increase HGH production.
Reduce body fat: Higher body fat levels are associated with lower HGH production.
Manage stress: Chronic stress can suppress HGH production. Practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation or yoga.
Proper nutrition: Ensure a balanced diet rich in proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates.
Avoid sugar: High insulin levels can suppress HGH production. Limit your intake of sugary foods and refined carbohydrates.

Make the right decision

While HGH plays a crucial role in our body’s growth and development, the use of synthetic HGH supplements, especially without medical supervision, carries significant risks. The potential dangers range from mild side effects to severe health complications, and there’s no clearly established “safe” limit for non-medical use.

So, it is basically in your hands as to how you use HGH therapy for your health. Using HGH injections without a prescription is a complete no-no. Until then, you can consult a doctor for HGH deficiency treatment and discuss your condition. Under any circumstance, it is advisable that you never overdose yourself, get addicted to HGH use, or use it abusively. All these situations can take a toll on your health and have a very negative impact. Always use natural, safe, and homeopathic HGH to enjoy the benefits of such natural releasers.

Last but not least, the appropriate level of HGH is significant for your health and well-being. At the same time, the question is whether you choose to improve your HGH level naturally or take it the wrong way. Unless you have clinical HGH deficiency, instead of turning to synthetic HGH, consider focusing on natural methods to optimize your body’s own HGH production. These methods, including lifestyle changes and natural supplements, offer a safer approach to supporting your HGH levels.

This is what will make the actual difference in how you get benefit from your HGH therapy.