Growth Hormone
Growth Hormone (GH) secretion and the level of a major product of growth hormone in our
blood, IGF-1, decline 14% per decade of life. By the age of 40 or 50, many people have low
IGF-1 levels (<120mcg/dL)--equal to people who have damaged pituitary glands and no GH
production at all. Growth hormone stimulates cell division, cell growth, and protein production
throughout the body, helping to maintain all tissues. Many studies have shown sufficient growth
hormone is essential to the maintenance of our nervous system, immune system, bones,
metabolism, and muscles. Higher, rather than lower IGF-1 levels within the reference ranges
reduce abdominal fat, blood sugar, and blood pressure. GH replacement in when needed
improves mood, energy, sleep quality, and sociability.
Growth hormone cannot be directly measured in the blood because it's produced only during
the night while we are in deep sleep. However, the average amount of growth hormone
secretion is reflected in the IGF-1 level in the blood. It is a reliable test: only liver disease or a
rare genetic defect can cause a low IGF-1 level in the face of adequate growth hormone
secretion. Some medical authorities are now trying to restrict adult GH replacement to those
extreme cases where persons have obvious physical damage to their pituitary gland and
cannot make any GH even when forced to do so with superphysiological stimuli like insulin or
arginine stimulation tests. This policy is unscientific, as a "normal" response to such tests
does not guarantee that enough GH is actually being secreted on a daily basis. The best
indicator of actual GH secretion under normal circumstances in any person is the IGF-1 level.
Growth hormone restoration, like testosterone restoration, is controversial today partly because
athletes are using and abusing it for performance gains; and because most of the early studies
of GH replacement in older adults used grossly excessive doses that produced elevated blood
sugar, fluid retention, and aching joints. By definition, restoring a hormone that is deficient to
more youthful levels can only be beneficial.
If a person has symptoms of GH deficiency and low IGF-1 levels, Dr. Lindner first tries to
improve GH secretion and IGF-1 levels by restoring other hormones (thyroid, testosterone,
DHEA, estradiol). Often this works quite well. He will prescribe GH to those with persistent
signs and symptoms of GH deficiency and low IGF-1 levels. He uses low, physiologic doses
that have been shown to produce benefits without causing signs or symptoms of excess.
Unfortunately, GH is not covered by insurance, is expensive (a low-moderate dose costs
$200/mo), and requires nightly self-injections.
Growth Hormone (GH) secretion and the level of a major product of growth hormone in our
blood, IGF-1, decline 14% per decade of life. By the age of 40 or 50, many people have low
IGF-1 levels (<120mcg/dL)--equal to people who have damaged pituitary glands and no GH
production at all. Growth hormone stimulates cell division, cell growth, and protein production
throughout the body, helping to maintain all tissues. Many studies have shown sufficient growth
hormone is essential to the maintenance of our nervous system, immune system, bones,
metabolism, and muscles. Higher, rather than lower IGF-1 levels within the reference ranges
reduce abdominal fat, blood sugar, and blood pressure. GH replacement in when needed
improves mood, energy, sleep quality, and sociability.
Growth hormone cannot be directly measured in the blood because it's produced only during
the night while we are in deep sleep. However, the average amount of growth hormone
secretion is reflected in the IGF-1 level in the blood. It is a reliable test: only liver disease or a
rare genetic defect can cause a low IGF-1 level in the face of adequate growth hormone
secretion. Some medical authorities are now trying to restrict adult GH replacement to those
extreme cases where persons have obvious physical damage to their pituitary gland and
cannot make any GH even when forced to do so with superphysiological stimuli like insulin or
arginine stimulation tests. This policy is unscientific, as a "normal" response to such tests
does not guarantee that enough GH is actually being secreted on a daily basis. The best
indicator of actual GH secretion under normal circumstances in any person is the IGF-1 level.
Growth hormone restoration, like testosterone restoration, is controversial today partly because
athletes are using and abusing it for performance gains; and because most of the early studies
of GH replacement in older adults used grossly excessive doses that produced elevated blood
sugar, fluid retention, and aching joints. By definition, restoring a hormone that is deficient to
more youthful levels can only be beneficial.
If a person has symptoms of GH deficiency and low IGF-1 levels, Dr. Lindner first tries to
improve GH secretion and IGF-1 levels by restoring other hormones (thyroid, testosterone,
DHEA, estradiol). Often this works quite well. He will prescribe GH to those with persistent
signs and symptoms of GH deficiency and low IGF-1 levels. He uses low, physiologic doses
that have been shown to produce benefits without causing signs or symptoms of excess.
Unfortunately, GH is not covered by insurance, is expensive (a low-moderate dose costs
$200/mo), and requires nightly self-injections.
For Health and Quality of Life
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