Human growth hormone (HGH) is an important hormone produced in the pituitary gland that helps regulate growth, metabolism, and body composition. As we age, HGH levels naturally decline, which can lead to undesirable effects. HGH therapy aims to restore hormone levels to counteract age-related deficiencies. This article from the Butterfly Hormone Center hormone clinic will discuss the basics of HGH, the signs and symptoms of deficiency, the wide-ranging benefits of treatment, and why our Summerville-based clinic is a top option for therapy.
HGH, also known as somatotropin, is made of 191 amino acids and is produced by somatotroph cells in the anterior pituitary gland. It plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism; promoting tissue repair, cell regeneration, and growth; improving bone density; regulating body fat distribution; and maintaining muscle strength and mass.
HGH production peaks during puberty and young adulthood when growth rates are high. Roughly around the age of 30, HGH levels start to decline by about 14% per decade. By age 60, most people have less than half the HGH they had in their youth. Some reasons for this age-related decline include:
This reduction of growth hormone in adults can lead to undesirable health effects if not properly treated.
Declining HGH during middle age and beyond can manifest in many symptoms that negatively impact quality of life, including:
Decreased muscle mass and strength: With less HGH to stimulate muscle protein synthesis, sarcopenia (loss of muscle tissue) occurs and strength declines.
Increase in body fat: Specifically visceral abdominal fat, which raises disease risk. HGH helps regulate fat metabolism.
Reduced bone mineral density: Leading to osteopenia and osteoporosis over time. HGH has an anabolic effect on bone.
Less energy and stamina: Due to reductions in IGF-1, an important intermediary hormone stimulated by HGH. Lower energy slows activity.
Emotional changes: HGH deficiency can negatively affect mood, motivation, focus, and cognitive function.
Impaired immunity: HGH supports thymus gland health and cell-mediated immunity. Deficiency raises infection risk.
Skin thinning and elasticity loss: Collagen synthesis relies on HGH stimulation. Skin aging accelerates with deficiency.
Cardiovascular effects: including unhealthy cholesterol changes and decreased cardiac output affecting endurance.
If multiple deficiency symptoms are present, an HGH blood test is recommended to check IGF-1 and growth hormone levels for confirmation.
Once diagnosed with clinically low HGH, replacement therapy under doctor supervision can help restore youthful hormone concentrations. When deficiency is treated properly, patients report wide-ranging benefits such as:
Increased lean muscle mass: Skeletal muscle is better able to synthesize protein when HGH levels are restored. This leads to gains in muscle mass/strength.
Decreased body fat: Especially visceral abdominal fat - the unhealthy type raising disease risk. HGH shifts body composition towards less fat.
Improved bone mineral density: Helping prevent osteopenia and osteoporosis. The anabolic effects protect bone health long-term.
More energy and stamina: Due to HGH elevating IGF-1 levels and supporting ATP energy production in cells. Exercise capacity/endurance increases.
Enhanced mood and cognitive function: HGH therapy can improve memory, focus, motivation and help alleviate anxiety/depression. Quality of life often increases.
Strengthened immunity: Growth hormone supports thymus gland functioning for better cell-mediated immunity against illness/infection.
Younger-looking skin: Increased collagen synthesis improves skin thickness, elasticity, and wrinkling as the underlying dermis strengthens.
Healthier cholesterol levels: HGH shifts lipoprotein balance towards better HDL and lower LDL particles for heart protection.
Increased cardiac output/endurance: Growth hormone therapy can strengthen the heart muscle to safely pump more blood during activity.
Overall, patients report feeling decades younger on all fronts with restored HGH levels. Consistency is key - lifelong treatment allows patients to maintain benefits long-term.
At our Butterfly Hormone Center clinic in Summerville, we provide pharmacy-grade HGH injections for treatment. Injections allow for complete absorption and economical multi-week dosing. No frustrating daily sprays or creams required!
We determine your customized dosage protocol based on lab tests, symptom evaluation, and body composition - usually starting between 0.5 to 1.5 IU daily. Men often need higher doses than women for full effects. The injection site is rotated daily between abdomen/thighs/glutes to minimize any localized fat loss called lipodystrophy.
HGH therapy takes several months to work since it relies on increasing IGF-1 over time. We re-test blood levels after 6 weeks, then every 3 months to ensure proper dosing with symptom improvements. Therapy may be adjusted up or down per patient response and feedback. Lifelong treatment is recommended for maintaining benefits.
HGH therapy has been shown to improve bone density and reduce the risk of fractures in older adults. Although the treatment remains controversial, a 2021 study found that if started early, low-dose HGH therapy can increase bone mass in postmenopausal women similar to the treatment effects seen in younger adults.
We advise HGH patients to engage in certain lifestyle modifications to get the most from therapy. These include smart nutrition choices to fuel muscle growth, weight/resistance training to stimulate tissue, proper sleep to align with natural HGH release, and stress reduction to avoid hormone disruption.
A balanced diet high in protein builds lean muscle lost to aging. We suggest 1 gram per pound of goal body weight daily via clean high-quality sources. Weight/resistance training stresses muscle 2-3x weekly so growth hormone can maximize repair/growth.
Deep stages of sleep from 10pm-2am align with pituitary HGH release. Adults should aim for 7 hour per night, avoiding light/screens before bed. Lowering life stresses also protects hormone balance long-term. Light daily activity like walking boosts vascular flow.
Small healthy lifestyle changes make a big difference in amplifying the wide-ranging anti-aging, metabolic, body composition, and performance benefits of HGH therapy. Contact us anytime for personalized guidance!
Our locally owned and operated Butterfly Hormone Center clinic offers premier growth hormone replacement therapy for Summerville area residents seeking to address age-related deficiencies. We stand out from large impersonal chains by providing:
We aim to make growth hormone replenishment as seamless and rewarding as possible while addressing all age-related symptoms. Butterfly Hormone Center maintains an excellent physician-reviewed rating for service quality and patient outcomes. Contact us for a free consultation!
The Summerville area offers abundant fitness, relaxation, and networking opportunities to support an optimal lifestyle on HGH treatment including:
Lab Testing: Lowcountry LabCorp (Mention Butterfly Hormone Center for a testing discount)
Fitness Centers: Fleet Feet Summerville (With outdoor trail access), Flow Yoga & Pilates, Gold's Gym, OrangeTheory Fitness
Healthy Dining: True Blends Juice Cafe, Clean Eatz, Honeycomb Cafe, Basil Thai Restaurant
Stress Relief: Dorchester State Park (Yoga/meditation group meets Saturdays), Serenity Hot Salt Cave Spa
Nightlife: Coalhouse Pizza, Nobility Bar & Grill, Nexton Social Club
We have partnered with these community businesses to offer our patients perks like free visits, discounts, loyalty rewards, and more! Be sure to ask us how to take advantage of the exclusive offers.
We hope this informational guide from Butterfly Hormone Center empowers you on the basics of growth hormone treatment - including why it declines with age, signs of deficiency, the evidence-backed benefits of replacing low levels, what to expect from the injection protocol, how to amplify your improvements with nutrition/exercise/lifestyle adjustments, and why our locally owned Summerville clinic stands out from the competition for service.
Do not hesitate to contact us with any remaining questions about HGH therapy or to book a free consultation. Our advisors look forward to helping you address frustrating symptoms of pituitary aging and hit total body reset! Now is the time to take charge of your health, wellbeing and quality of life.
