Human growth hormone (HGH): Does it slow aging?

Growth hormone fuels childhood growth and helps maintain tissues and organs throughout life. It's made by the pea-sized pituitary gland found at the base of the brain. After puberty, the pituitary gland gradually makes less growth hormone over time.

This natural slowdown has triggered an interest in using lab-made human growth hormone (HGH) as an anti-aging treatment. Some people claim that the use of HGH can delay some of the changes linked to aging, such as less muscle and bone mass.

If you're skeptical, good. There's little research to suggest that HGH can help otherwise healthy adults regain youth and energy. What's more, HGH treatments may raise the risk of other health conditions. Experts recommend against using HGH to treat aging or age-related conditions.

Do some adults need HGH treatment?

In some adults, the pituitary gland doesn't make enough growth hormone. This is called growth hormone deficiency. It's different from the expected decline in growth hormone due to aging. Adults with growth hormone deficiency might be prescribed lab-made HGH by their healthcare professional.

Causes of growth hormone deficiency in adulthood include:

• A tumor on the pituitary gland that isn't cancer, called pituitary adenoma.
• Pituitary gland surgery.
• Radiation therapy of the brain or pituitary gland.
• Brain damage from a car accident or a sports injury.

Childhood growth hormone deficiency also may persist into adulthood in some people.

For adults who have growth hormone deficiency, shots of HGH can:

• Boost the ability to exercise more.
• Strengthen bones.
• Increase muscle mass.
• Lower body fat.

HGH treatment also is approved to treat adults with serious weight loss and muscle wasting due HIV or AIDS.

How does HGH treatment affect healthy older adults?

Studies of healthy adults taking human growth hormone are limited and have mixed results. It appears that human growth hormone can boost muscle mass and lower the amount of body fat in healthy older adults. But the gain in muscle doesn't lead to gains in strength. It isn't clear if human growth hormone provides other benefits to healthy adults.

What are the risks of HGH treatment?

HGH treatment can cause side effects for healthy adults, including:

• A hand condition called carpal tunnel syndrome.
• High blood sugar.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Swelling in the arms and legs called edema.
• Joint and muscle pain.
• Enlarged breasts in men, also called gynecomastia.
• Higher risk of certain cancers.

Clinical studies of HGH treatment in healthy older adults have been somewhat small and short in length. So there's little information about the long-term effects of HGH treatment.

Does HGH come in pill form?

There's no pill form of human growth hormone. People who use prescription HGH to treat growth hormone deficiency take the medicine once a day or once a week in the form of a shot that's given just underneath the skin. Some dietary supplements that claim to boost levels of HGH come in pill form. But research doesn't show a benefit, and these pills may not be safe.

In the United States, it's illegal to use HGH for a condition that isn't approved by the Food and Drug Administration. So, it's against the law to use HGH for building muscle or as an anti-aging treatment. Laws about HGH may vary in other countries.

What's the bottom line?

If you have specific concerns about aging, ask your healthcare professional about proven ways to boost your health. Remember, healthy lifestyle choices can help you feel your best as you get older. So be sure to eat a healthy diet and include physical activity in your daily routine.