HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE (HGH) 40IU

Mechanism of Action
Human growth hormone (HGH) is a 191–amino acid protein secreted by the anterior pituitary gland and is essential for somatic growth and metabolic homeostasis. By binding to specific receptors in various tissues (primarily liver, muscle, and bone), it activates the JAK2–STAT5 signaling pathway, triggering the expression of anabolic genes. A key effect of HGH is the induction of hepatic synthesis of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which acts endocrinologically on bones and muscles to promote proliferation of cartilage and muscle cells as well as protein synthesis.
GH also exerts direct effects: it stimulates lipolysis in adipose tissue (reducing fat mass) and antagonizes insulin action in glucose metabolism, resulting in increased blood glucose levels and compensatory hyperinsulinemia. This anti-insulin effect explains why chronic GH excess (acromegaly) leads to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Overall, HGH increases protein synthesis and growth in virtually all tissues except the brain. Its effects manifest acutely (metabolic) and chronically (somatic) and are most evident during childhood and adolescence, when it stimulates longitudinal growth of long bones prior to epiphyseal closure.
 
Clinical or Therapeutic Uses
Therapeutic use of recombinant HGH (somatropin) is well established in pediatric and adult endocrinology. In children, approved indications include growth hormone deficiency of pituitary origin, Turner syndrome, Prader–Willi syndrome, chronic kidney disease with short stature, children born small for gestational age without catch-up growth, and idiopathic short stature. In these cases, exogenous GH aims to normalize growth velocity and achieve an adult height within the population range.
In adults, accepted indications include adult-onset GH deficiency (hypopituitarism) and HIV/AIDS-associated wasting syndrome. HGH has also been used in short bowel syndrome to improve intestinal absorption in combination with specialized diets, although this use is limited to specialized centers. Outside these indications, some clinical trials have explored GH in osteoporosis, geriatric frailty, and other conditions, but without formal approval.
In non-medical contexts, HGH has been used as a performance-enhancing drug and for so-called “anti-aging” purposes. Athletes and bodybuilders have abused it to increase lean muscle mass, reduce body fat, and accelerate recovery from tissue injury. It has also gained popularity in anti-aging clinics aiming to improve vitality in older adults. However, these unapproved applications lack solid scientific support and carry significant risks. Sports authorities prohibit HGH as a doping substance, and possession or distribution for non-medical use is illegal in many countries.
 
Side Effects and Associated Risks
HGH therapy can cause a range of adverse effects, particularly when supraphysiological doses are used (as in doping). In legitimate replacement therapy, some patients experience fluid retention manifested as peripheral edema (swelling of hands and ankles), as well as myalgias and arthralgias (muscle and joint pain). A characteristic adverse effect is carpal tunnel syndrome due to nerve compression from soft-tissue thickening, presenting with paresthesias (numbness and tingling) in the hands.
HGH can induce insulin resistance; chronic use or abuse may precipitate diabetes mellitus in susceptible individuals. Elevated blood pressure and cardiac hypertrophy have also been observed in long-term users, reflecting the organ enlargement typical of acromegaly. A serious concern is the potential promotion of latent neoplastic cell growth: the GH/IGF-1 axis stimulates mitogenic pathways, so HGH is contraindicated in patients with active cancer. Reports describe cases of diabetes and heart failure in bodybuilders who abused HGH for years.
In adolescents or young adults, excess GH can lead to acromegaly (excessive growth of the jaw, hands, and feet) or, if exposure occurs before epiphyseal closure, gigantism with skeletal deformities. Other effects include headache and benign intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri), particularly at treatment initiation in children. Finally, daily subcutaneous injections can cause local reactions and, if non-sterile equipment is shared, pose a risk of infection.