What are the long term effects of growth hormone?

What are the long term effects of growth hormone?

Swelling in the arms and legs (edema) Joint and muscle pain. For men, enlargement of breast tissue (gynecomastia) Increased risk of certain cancers.

Is growth hormone Replacement Therapy lifelong?

Treatment of children usually involves daily injections of growth hormone, usually for as long as the child is growing. Lifelong continuation may be recommended for those most severely deficient as adults. Most pediatric endocrinologists monitor growth and adjust dose every 3–4 months.

How long can you detect hGH?

It measures byproducts the body produces when a person takes synthetic growth hormone, and is supposed to be able to detect HGH use for up to three weeks; it cannot detect it in the first 48 hours or so.

Can growth hormones go bad?

Growth hormone breaks down immediately when it spoils. Look at the medicine through the window on the pen. If it appears cloudy or discolored, call your Specialty Pharmacy or NovoCare® to inquire further.

Do growth hormones make you taller?

Adults cannot grow taller by using the synthetic growth hormone. High doses will thicken the person’s bones instead of lengthening them. People with acromegaly will experience an overgrowth of bones, particularly in the hands, feet, and face. The skin area can also be affected and may turn thick, coarse, and hairy.

What happens if I stop taking growth hormone?

Psychological symptoms of GH withdrawal, reported in interviews at end-point by placebo-treated patients, included decreased energy, and increased tiredness, pain, irritability and depression.

How do they test for hGH?

A GH serum test is used to measure the amount of GH in your blood when the blood is drawn. For the test, a healthcare professional will use a needle to collect a sample of your blood. The test itself is fairly routine and carries little discomfort or risk. The blood sample will be sent to a lab for analysis.

How much can growth hormones make you grow?

Children can gain as many as 4 inches or more over the first 3 years of treatment. Another 3 inches or more can grow during the next 2 years. Many adults have to take HGH treatment for the remainder of their life.

When should Growth Hormone be stopped?

Although the length of treatment varies, your child probably will have to stay on GH treatment until he or she has: Reached his or her full adult height. Reached full bone maturity. Grown less than 2 cm in the last year.

When do you stop growth hormone?

Growth hormone is generally continued until your child has reached their full height potential. This is indicated by bone maturation (bone age) of 16 years or more in males and 14 years or more in females along with a growth rate of less than 2.5cm/yr.