Understanding HGH
Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is an essential hormone produced by the pituitary gland. HGH stimulates growth, cellular reproduction, and cell regeneration in humans. It is crucial for children and adolescents for their physical growth and development. Apart from this, it also has important roles in adults. HGH increases protein synthesis; and muscle mass and promotes lipolysis.
HGH is FDA-approved only for children with diagnosed growth hormone deficiency and in AIDS patients with muscle wasting. However, it is also used off-label as an anti-aging medication. Some athletes are also known to use HGH despite it being a restricted drug.
Very few studies have been conducted on the dosage of HGH required for anti-aging. After extensive study, we have a brief guide based on what some doctors and trainers are recommending albeit illegally in some countries like the USA.
⚠️ Disclaimer:
The dosages mentioned in this article are based on anecdotal reports from bodybuilding and anti-aging communities and are not approved by the FDA or other regulatory medical bodies. The use of HGH for purposes such as bodybuilding, weight loss, or anti-aging is considered off-label and may carry significant health risks. HGH should only be used under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional, and individuals should be aware of the potential side effects, legal implications, and lack of long-term safety data associated with off-label HGH use. Always consult a qualified medical professional before considering HGH or any hormone-based treatments.
Warning: Current HGH dosing recommendations outside of FDA-approved uses are largely anecdotal. The efficacy and safety of off-label HGH use have not been validated in large-scale clinical trials. Long-term effects of off-label HGH use remain largely unstudied, and misuse can lead to serious health complications such as insulin resistance, organ enlargement, and cardiovascular issues.
Factors to consider for HGH dosage
1. Current physical status: Body Mass Index (BMI) and Fat Percentage
2. Health condition
3. Desired changes
4. Other prescribed drugs used
5. The financial situation of the patient
Usage
HGH effects on the body highly depend on the HGH dose you are taking, duration, and frequency of intake. The doses you need depend mainly on the purpose of taking HGH.
Human growth hormone is measured in IU (international units) and mg (milligrams). 1 mg equals approximately 3 IU while 1 IU equals approximately 0.33 mg.
2-3 IUs – Recommended dosage for anti-aging purposes and improvement of skin, bones, and joints. Low doses below 3 IU can produce the desired anti-aging effects with very few to no side effects. With 2-3 IUs, users can notice a progressive improvement in their skin. Users will also experience better sleep and an increase in energy.
4-8 IUs – Recommended HGH dosage for fat loss and building lean muscle mass. With these higher doses, the risks of side effects increase. Users may experience mild swelling in their fingertips, toe tips, and face due to increased water retention. A rare yet serious side effect of HGH at this dosage is carpal tunnel syndrome, in which a painful tingling sensation occurs in the wrist and hands which may be unbearable at times.
8-15 IUs – Recommended for muscle mass gain for bodybuilders and athletes.
The suggested dosages are for everyone however the effectiveness depends mostly on each individual’s personal diet and exercise regimen.
Experience with using HGH
1st-time users: For beginners, the results of HGH depend on the body structure. For lean individuals, beginning HGH with a low dosage is highly advised, about 4- IUs.
Long-term users: Many athletes and bodybuilders use HGH for long periods to assist them with building muscle. For experienced long-term users, the often-used dosage is approximately 10 IUs. This high dosage is used only by professional sportsmen and sportswomen before sporting competitions.
Timing and Duration
3 IUs and below: Injected once a day
4 IUs and above: Injected twice a day, 5-6 days a week. Be sure to not inject the 2nd dosage before you sleep. When you sleep, your body naturally secretes its own natural HGH and acts as the third dosage.
HGH Cycle Duration
1. Short cycle: 1-2 months
Recommended duration for improving the state of cartilage and skin; heal joint traumas. The cycle is repeated at least twice a year to see significant results.
2. Long cycle: 5-6 months
Not recommended in people without diagnosed growth hormone deficiency.
3. Optimal cycle: 3-4 months
Recommended repeating 3-4 months cycle once to twice a year.
Note: The longer duration of 3-4 months with a lower dosage is more recommended than a shorter duration with a higher dosage. Shorter durations with higher dosages can have more side effects.
HGH dosing protocol (ED, EOD, 3TW)
1. Every Day (ED): Most commonly used and recommended
2. Every Other Day (EOD): Recommended for people targeting muscle gain and for financially limited people.
3. 3 times a week (3TW): Used for children with growth deficiency, however, it is not a recommended protocol for muscle gain.
Dosage Depends on whether you are Combining HGH with other drugs
Based on the experiences of many bodybuilders that are into enhancement drugs; Combining HGH with other drugs such as insulin and steroids not only reduces the side effects of using a high dosage of HGH, it can even produce better effects. NB: The dosages below are not FDA-approved so beware!
For people using HGH at a dosage of 10 IU/day
HGH only – 10 IU/ DAY
HGH+insulin – 6-10 IU of HGH + 10-15 IU of insulin
HGH+insulin+testosterone = 5-7 IU of HGH +10-15 IU of Insulin + 500 mg of Testosterone
Different brands of somatropin:
- Norditropin: initiate Norditropin with a dose of approximately 0.3 mg/day (1 IU) and increase the dose every 1-2 months by increments of approximately 0.1 mg/day to 0.2 mg/day. Decrease the dose as necessary based on adverse reactions and/or serum IGF-1 concentrations above the age- and gender-specific normal range.
- Saizen: initiate Saizen with a dose of approximately 0.3 mg/day (1 IU) and increase the dose every 1-2 months by increments of approximately 0.1 mg/day to 0.2 mg/day. A lower starting dose with a smaller maintenance dose should be contemplated for senior patients, who are more disposed to experience the unfavorable effects of somatropin than younger people.
- Genotropin: initiate Genotropin with a dose of approximately 0.3 mg/day (1 IU)and increase the dose every 1-2 months by increments of approximately 0.1 mg/day to 0.2 mg/day as per the individual patient’s requirements based on the clinical response and serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations.
- Omnitrope: initiate Omnitrope with a dose of approximately 0.3 mg/day (1 IU) and increase the dose every 1-2 months by increments of approximately 0.1 mg/day to 0.2 mg/day
- Jintropin: This is a cheaper Chinese version of somatropin which is very popular in the black market. Beware of Jintropin counterfeits as this brand is more targeted by unscrupulous players.
Most doctors will refrain from prescribing or recommending HGH for purposes other than diagnosed growth hormone deficiency. The side effects outweigh the benefits when HGH is used in higher dosages. It is always best to consult an expert physician before initiating the usage of HGH for anti-aging or body-building purposes.
Natural Over The Counter HGH Releasers
As of 2021, most Doctors won’t risk losing their medical licenses prescribing HGH for non-FDA-approved conditions because of the severity of the penalties they may incur. Because of this, most of those looking to use HGH for its anti-aging, weight loss, athletic, and bodybuilding benefits either go for illegal black market HGH or legal natural HGH releasers.
HGH releasers are generally made out of natural peptides, herbs, minerals, and vitamins. It is a well-known fact that for example, the amino acid Arginine can increase the release of somatotropin by the pituitary gland; but can you get the needed dosage to accomplish this? Most of the HGH products out there do not contain enough of the HGH-stimulating ingredients to make a difference in the HGH release. In short HGH supplements may offer a legal alternative if HGH injections can not be obtained legally. Also because every HGH releaser is different you need to follow the directions set by their corresponding manufacturers for instructions on use and dosages. If you want to consider this alternative route at least consider a product that has a clinical study to back up its claims.
References
Saugy, M., Robinson, N., Saudan, C., Baume, N., Avois, L., & Mangin, P. (2006). Human growth hormone doping in sport. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 40(Suppl 1), i35–i39. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2006.027573
Anderson, L. J., Tamayose, J. M., & Garcia, J. M. (2018). Use of growth hormone, IGF-I, and insulin for anabolic purposes: Pharmacological basis, methods of detection, and adverse effects. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 464, 65–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2017.06.010
Samaras, N., Papadopoulou, M. A., Samaras, D., & Ongaro, F. (2014). Off-label use of hormones as an antiaging strategy: A review. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 9, 1175–1186. https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S48918
Novo Nordisk. (2021). How to take it [Web page]. Norditropin. Retrieved from https://www.norditropin.com/how-to-take-it.html
Alba-Roth, J., Müller, O. A., Schopohl, J., & von Werder, K. (1988). Arginine stimulates growth hormone secretion by suppressing endogenous somatostatin secretion. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 67(6), 1186–1189. https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem-67-6-1186
Pfizer Inc. (2023). GENOTROPIN® (somatropin) dosage and administration [Web page]. Pfizer Medical Information – US. Retrieved from https://www.pfizermedicalinformation.com/en-us/genotropin/dosage-admin
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