Human growth hormones, also known as HGH, help support, maintain, and assist in the healthy function of several bodily processes. Growth hormones are extremely important during a child's early development but can also affect an adult's physical and mental health later in life.
When HGH levels decrease, they can have a negative impact on how well our body operates. From increased body fat and thinning skin to more significant reactions such as severe depression, HGH plays an extremely important role in helping us live our best lives.
What Is HGH?
The pituitary gland produces human growth hormone. If the pituitary gland becomes damaged, it cannot produce the amount of HGH the body needs. This hormone supports muscle growth and strength, bone growth, cell repair, protein production, and metabolism. It also plays a key role in helping you recover when you experience an injury, or your body is fighting a disease.
What Causes Low HGH Levels?
You might experience low levels of HGH for a number of reasons, ranging from a mutation that occurred during the development of the pituitary gland, a physical trauma that happened later in life, or an unknown cause. The most common causes of low levels of HGH include:
- A brain tumor in the pituitary gland or hypothalamus.
- Surgery or radiation to treat the brain tumor.
- A lack of blood flow to the pituitary gland.
- Any type of head trauma.
- Diseases that affect the hypothalamus or pituitary gland.
- An autoimmune condition.
- Any other damage to the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus.
5 Signs You Have Low Levels of HGH
Low levels of HGH can cause a myriad of problems. Physical complications can include reduced energy levels or an increase in cardiovascular issues. Mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, brain fog, or lack of focus, can also be side effects of low HGH levels. Many other disorders or illnesses, however, can cause similar symptoms. So, how do you know if you are suffering from low levels of HGH? Let's explore these five common signs below.
Increased Body Fat
HGH helps support the body's metabolic actions and composition, including fat, protein, minerals, and water. These hormones also assist in lipolysis, a process that helps break down fat in our bodies. When HGH levels are low, your body cannot effectively metabolize fat, which can lead to other physical complications, such as high insulin levels, increased amounts of fatty acids, and reduced levels of a hormone called ghrelin.
Ghrelin is found mainly in the stomach but also in the small intestine, pancreas, and brain. It's known as the "hunger hormone," as it stimulates the appetite and promotes the storage of fat. As a result, reduced levels of HGH secretion from the pituitary gland can lead to an increase in body fat, especially around the waist.
Depression and Anxiety
Human growth hormone is imperative in helping the body repair itself. When HGH levels are low, they can significantly inhibit the body's repair mechanism, affecting how well your mind and body can manage depression and anxiety. A reduction in HGH can also lead to irritability, elevated pain levels, and decreased energy.
This can be especially true in teenagers who have low HGH levels. If they are experiencing growth or maturity delays, they can suffer from low self-esteem. For instance, young women's bodies might not develop at the same rate as their friends. Young men might experience delayed changes, such as voice fluctuations or facial hair development, compared to their peers.
Decreased Sexual Desire
Low levels of HGH can contribute to a decrease in sexual activity and desire. Significantly lower levels of HGH can also impact blood circulation, which greatly interferes with sexual ability and activity.
Sexual organs need consistent blood flow to function. Low levels of HGH can impede sexual pleasure, making it extremely difficult to reach climax. In women, HGH is responsible for producing lubrication and for the heightened sensitivity of the nerves in the vaginal area. Both of these actions provide pleasure and improve women's overall sexual experience. Low levels of HGH not only reduce your sexual desire but can also make sex an uncomfortable and even painful experience.
Fragile or Thin Skin
Research has shown that HGH is imperative to skin repair, maintenance, and development. Fragile or thin skin are two signs you might have low levels of HGH. When you work to increase HGH to the proper levels, you might notice fewer wrinkles, firm or taut skin, improved muscle mass, and an overall younger-looking appearance.
Reduced Muscle Mass
Muscle health is vital for a variety of reasons. It supports physical functions such as breathing, digestion, and movement. Strong muscles are also responsible for protecting our internal organs, metabolizing fat and glucose, and regulating our body temperature. Low levels of HGH directly affect your muscles' health, which can then negatively influence the bodily functions mentioned above.
How To Increase HGH Levels
Synthetic growth hormone therapy can successfully treat low levels of HGH. Regular, often daily, injections of synthetic growth hormones can significantly increase HGH levels in your body. The injections are administered into the body's fatty tissues, such as the thighs, buttocks, or back of the arms. Treatment usually consists of daily injections, and many people notice improved results in as little as three to four months. Depending on your HGH level, treatment can last several years.
Side effects of HGH injections are typically insignificant but can include:
- Hip pain.
- Headaches.
- Redness at the injection site.
- Curving of the spine.
Alternative treatments for low HGH levels include peptide therapy.
In this article, we've explained what human growth hormones are, what causes them to decrease to low levels, the symptoms associated with low HGH, and current treatments to increase it. If you think you might suffer from low levels of HGH, contact the biostation today. We believe your physical and mental health are the most valuable things you have. We provide valuable services such as diagnostic testing, hormone therapies, nutrient therapies, and pharmaceutical-grade supplements.