HGH info
In the human
body growth hormone (HGH) is produced by the pituitary gland.
It exists at especially high levels during adolescence when
it promotes the growth of tissues, protein deposition and
the breakdown of subcutaneous fat stores. Upon maturation
endogenous levels of GH decrease, but remain present in
the body at a substantially lower level. In the body the
actual structure of growth hormone is a sequence of 191
amino acids. Once scientists isolated this hormone, many
became convinced it would exhibit exceptional therapeutic
properties. It would be especially effective in cases of
pituitary deficient dwarfism, the drug perhaps restoring
much linear growth if administered during adolescence.
The 1980's brought
about the first prepared drugs containing Human Growth Hormone.
The content was taken from a biological origin, the hormone
being extracted from the pituitary glands of human corpses
then prepared as a medical injection. This production method
was short lived however, since it was linked to the spread
of a rare and fatal brain disease. Today virtually all forms
of HGH are synthetically manufactured. The recombinant DNA
process is very intricate; using transformed e-coli bacterial
or mouse cell lines to genetically produce the hormone structure.
It is highly unlikely you will ever cross the old biologically
active item on the black market (such as Grorm), as all
such products should now be discontinued. Here in the United
States two distinctly structured compounds are being manufactured
for the pharmaceutical market. The item Humatrope by Eli
Lilly Labs has the correct 191 amino acid sequence while
Genentech's Protropin has 192. This extra amino acid slightly
increases the chance for developing an antibody reaction
to the growth hormone. The 191 amino acid configuration
is therefore considered more reliable, although the difference
is not great. Protropin is still Anabolics 2002 considered
an effective product and is prescribed regularly. Outside
of the U.S., the vast majority of HGH in circulation will
be the correct 191 amino acid sequence so this distinction
is not a great a concern.
The use of growth
hormone has been increasing in popularity among athletes,
due of course to the numerous benefits associated with use.
To begin with, GH stimulates growth in most body tissues,
primarily due to increases in cell number rather than size.
This includes skeletal muscle tissue, and with the exception
of eyes and brain all other body organs. The transport of
amino acids is also increased, as is the rate of protein
synthesis. All of these effect are actually mediated by
IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor), a highly anabolic hormone
produced in the liver and other tissues in response to growth
hormone (peak levels of IGF-1 are noted approximately 20
hours after HGH administration). Growth hormone itself also
stimulated triglyceride hydrolysis in adipose tissue, usually
producing notable fat loss during treatment. GH also increases
glucose output in the liver, and induces insulin resistance
by blocking the activity of this hormone in target cells.
A shift is seen where fats become a more primary source
of fuel, further enhancing body fat loss.
Its growth promoting
effect also seems to strengthen connective tissues, cartilage
and tendons. This effect should reduce the susceptibility
to injury (due to heavy weight training), and increase lifting
ability (strength). HGH is also a safe drug for the "piss-test".
Although its use is banned by athletic committees, there
is no reliable detection method. This makes clear its attraction
to (among others) professional bodybuilders, strength athletes
and Olympic competitors, who are able to use this drug straight
through a competition. There is talk however that a reliable
test for the exogenous administration of growth hormone
has been developed, and is close to being implemented. Until
this happens, growth hormone will remain a highly sought
after drug for the tested athlete.
But the degree
in which HGH actually works for an athlete has been the
topic of a long running debate. Some claim it to be the
holy grail of anabolics, capable of amazing things. Able
to provide incredible muscle growth and unbelievable fat
loss in a very short period of time. Since it is used primarily
by serious competitors who can afford such an expensive
drug, a great body of myth further surrounds HGH discussion
(among those personally unfamiliar). Many will state with
the utmost confidence that the incredible mass of the Olympian
competitors each year is 100% due to the use of HGH. Others
have crossed bodybuilding materials claiming it to be a
complete waste of money, an ineffective anabolic and barely
worthwhile for fat loss. With its high price tag, certainly
an incredibly poor buy in the face of steroids. So we have
a very wide variety of opinions regarding this drug, whom
should we believe?
It is first
important to understand why there the results obtained from
this drug seem to vary so much. A logical factor in this
regard would seem to be the price of this drug. Due to the
elaborate manufacturing techniques used to produce it, it
is extremely costly. Even a moderately dosed cycle could
cost an athlete between $75-$150 per daily dosage. Most
are unable or unwilling to spend so much, and instead tinker
around with low dosages of the drug. Most who have used
this item extensively claim it will only be effective at
higher doses. Poor results would then be expected if low
amounts were used, or the drug not administered daily. If
you cannot commit to the full expense of an HGH cycle, you
should really not be trying to use the drug.
The average
male athlete will usually need a dosage in the range of
4 to 6 I.U. per day to elicit the best results. On the low
end perhaps 1 to 2 I.U. can be used daily, but this is still
a considerable expense. Daily dosing is important, as HGH
has a very short life span in the body. Peak blood concentrations
are noted quickly (2 to 6 hours) after injection, and the
hormone is cleared from the body with a half-life of only
20-30 minutes. Clearly it does not stick around very long,
making stable blood levels difficult to maintain. The effects
of this drug are also most pronounced when it is used for
longer periods of time, often many months long. Some do
use it for shorter periods, but generally only when looking
for fat loss. For this purpose a cycle of at least four
weeks would be used. This compound can be administered in
both an intramuscular and subcutaneous injection. "Sub-Q"
injections are particularly noted for producing a localized
loss of fat, requiring the user to change injection points
regularly to even out the effect. A general loss of fat
seems to be the one characteristic most people agree on.
It appears that the fat burning properties of this drug
are more quickly apparent, and less dependent on high doses.
Other drugs
also need to be used in conjunction with HGH in order to
elicit the best results. Your body seems to require an increased
amount of thyroid hormones, insulin and androgens while
HGH levels are elevated (HGH therapy in fact is shown to
lower thyroid and insulin levels). To begin with, the addition
of thyroid hormones will greatly increase the thermogenic
effectiveness of a cycle. Taking either Cytomel or
Synthroid (prescription versions of T-3 and T-4) would
seem to make the most sense (the more powerful Cytomel
is usually preferred). Insulin as well is very welcome during
a cycle, used most commonly in an anabolic routine as described
in this book under the insulin heading. Aside from replacing
lowered insulin levels, use of this hormone is important
as it can increase receptor sensitivity to IGF-1, and reduce
levels of IGF binding protein-1 allowing for more free circulating
IGF-1 (growth hormone itself also lowers IGF binding protein
levelss'). Steroids as well prove very necessary for the
full anabolic effect of GH to become evident. Particularly
something with a notable androgenic component such as testosterone
or trenbolone (if worried about estrogen) should be used.
The added androgen is quite useful, as it promotes anabolism
by enhancing muscle cell size (remember GH primarily effects
cell number). Steroid use may also increase free IGF-1 via
a lowering of IGF binding proteins. The combination of all
of these (HGH, anabolics, insulin and T-3) proves to be
the most synergistic combination, providing clearly amplified
results. it is of course important to note that thyroid
and insulin are particularly powerful drugs that involve
a number of additional risks.
Release and
action of GH and IGF-1: GHRH (growth hormone releasing hormone)
and SST (somatostatin) are released by the hypothalamus
to stimulate or inhibit the output of GH by the pituitary.
GH has direct effects on many tissues, as well as indirect
effects via the production of IGF-1. IGF-1 also causes negative
feedback inhibition at the pituitary and hypothalamus. Heightened
release of somatostatin affects not only the release of
GH, but insulin and thyroid hormones as well.
HGH itself does
carry with it some of its own risks. The most predominantly
discussed side effect would be acromegaly, or a noticeable
thickening of the bones (notably the feet, forehead, hands,
jaw and elbows). The drug can also enlarge vital organs
such as the heart and kidney, and has been linked to hypoglycemia
and diabetes (presumably due to its ability to induce insulin
resistance). Theoretically, overuse of this hormone can
bring about a number of conditions, some life threatening.
Such problems however are extremely rare. Among the many
athletes using growth hormone, we have very few documented
cases of a serious problem developing. When used periodically
at a moderate dosage, the athlete should have little cause
for worry. Of course if there are any noticeable changes
in bone structure, skin texture or normal health and well
being during use, HGH therapy should be completely halted. |
