Growth Hormone - " The Hormone of Youth"

Growth Hormone is made in the anterior pituitary gland of the brain, and is produced daily in small quantities. It is essential for growth of all cells in the body. During the early years of our life, Growth Hormone levels are 600-800. Later in life, 60s-70s, it frequently drops to less than 200.

A simple blood level measurement determines if you have decreased amounts. Many experts feel the reason we are so healthy at a young age is because of our high level of growth hormone. Low levels in life are in fact not normal; they account for our aging and early death. People tend to have a continuing reduction of the Growth Hormone as they get older. Most people over the age of 50 are 50% less than normal.

It has been called the hormone of youth, and is responsible for multiple functions in the body. It is thought to slow the aging process helping you stay young and healthy for a longer period of time. It also replaces lost muscle and prevent osteoarthritis. We see people getting older, wrinkling, thinning skin that bruises easily, osteoporosis of bones, increased infections due to a decreased bodies resistance, increased body fat, loss of muscles, loss of energy, slowness of thinking , memory loss, senility, and other serious problems we just associate with "aging". Lack of Growth Hormone is involved with each of these conditions.

We know that it has many functions on a person's mental well being. Decrease in growth hormones results in fatigue, no energy, loss of concentration, and decrease in general interest in life. Depression can also be due to low Growth Hormone levels. Other problems are reduction in brain volume, loss of brain cells, decrease in the fibrous tissue of the brain, depletion in neurotransmitters, and other chemical substances that cause the brain to function properly. Muscle wasting that occurs in older people can be reversed with Growth Hormone.

Following replacement therapy, people have been shown to have an increase in cognitive function. It improves their capacity to memorize and gives a youthful energy level.

There is some evidence to suggest that it also prevents the aging of cells. This is a great source of interest and controversy. For years low levels were accepted as normal. However, there are older people that do not have low levels and seem to thrive. There are people with normal levels who take Growth Hormones as preventative medicine. If one has a level that is less than 50-75% of the normal body level, then it is very important therapy to prevent aging.

Side Effects:

Too large of a dose can cause fluid retention and carpal tunnel syndrome. Normal levels of therapy and observation can prevent both. Follow-up growth hormone level after therapy has been given over a period of time.

There is a marked decrease in secretion of Growth Hormone by the pituitary gland after 40. Growth hormone secretion declines 15% every 10 years of adult life after the age of 20. Aging has a central effect on growth hormone secretion and a peripheral effect on tissues throughout the body. Growth Hormone makes new cells grow in every organ of the body except the eye and the brain. However, even in the brain it is important because it acts as a hormone for neurotransmission and well being.

Positive Effects of Growth Hormone Replacement:

1. It improves the function of the heart muscle by increasing the number of cells in the heart.

2. Increase in muscle mass.