What is Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency?
As we grow older, our body undergoes several changes. Some of them are normal while other changes are rarely seen. One of the more common ones is adult growth hormone deficiency, and it could increase the chances of getting serious health complications.
What is AGHD?
Adult growth hormone deficiency is when our body does not produce enough human growth hormones or HGH. This hormone naturally occurs in the body and is secreted by the pituitary gland. However, as we grow older, the levels secreted decreases.
HGH is important as it stimulates the insulin-like growth factor-1 which is produced by the liver. These two elements help tremendously in keeping our body strong as well as keeping our metabolism fast. Without sufficient growth hormone to stimulate IGF-1, our body weakens.
Overall, AGHD is not a big deal. It isn’t entirely dangerous and not something that older people tend to watch out for. As said, decreasing levels of HGH is normal. The sad thing is, not everyone reacts the same to this decrease.
Ultimately, AGHD is a huge proponent of various health issues. We get more susceptible to getting sick, especially from the following:
- Cardiovascular problems
- Cancerous tumors
- Diabetes
- Dementia
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Osteoporosis
- Atherosclerosis
- Obesity
That said, it’s best that we learn more about adult growth hormone deficiency and how to fight it.
Symptoms
Symptoms of AGHD widely varies, and these seem so normal when we grow older that we tend to overlook it and see it as a “sign of aging.” However, the following symptoms may call for something else. If you think any of these signs point to AGHD, you can contact your doctor and have a test to be sure.
The symptoms are:
- Decrease in muscle mass and strength
- Low energy
- Decreased stamina
- Abnormalities in good and bad cholesterol
- Increased body fat especially around the waist
- Osteoporosis
- Weakening memory
- Problems in concentration
However, you can never be too sure whether you do have AGHD unless you have yourself tested.
The most common test is known as the insulin tolerance test. This involves injecting insulin to the patient to lower their blood sugar level. The body should be able to produce enough growth hormones to remedy this stress. If the body doesn’t produce enough HGH, it will be diagnosed as growth hormone deficiency.
This test should be carried out in a safe place with a nearby glucose in case the patient feels extreme discomfort. If you are worried, this should only take a few minutes of discomfort, but you can always call off the test and have the glucose injected to bring back your sugar level to normal.
There are also several other tests available so you should ask your laboratory.
Treatment
Once diagnosed with adult growth hormone deficiency, a patient can now undergo HGH therapy. They will be treated with recombinant human growth hormone such as the Norditropin Flexpro.
The Norditropin Flexpro cost depends on where you will buy it. However, one pen will vary from $5,000 and above. It may also depend on the dosage.
You can only buy Norditropin Flexpro with a prescription so make sure you get one from your doctor. If you can buy it without a prescription, you should be wary. This is a serious remedy and should be treated as one. Not everyone could get it whenever they want to.
The dosage normally depends on how severe your case, the proposed length of your HGH therapy, and your overall health. Follow your prescription closely. Better yet, have it administered by your doctor to ensure you are doing it correctly.
Benefits of HGH Therapy
Essentially, HGH therapy will reverse the negative effects of growth hormone deficiency. Here are the benefits you’ll be able to get from the right HGH therapy:
- Helps in weight loss
- Increase in energy for more activities
- Helps in increasing muscles mass and strength
- Increase in bone density
- Helps alleviate joint pains
- Enhances brain performance and memory
- Helps you focus
- Reducing emotional stress, depression, and stress
- Increase in libido
- Better and healthy-looking skin
- Better nail and hair growth
- Strengthens your immune system, so recovery from injuries and common diseases are fast
- Helps improve sleep
With these benefits, you can look and feel healthy despite your age. However, some people tend to abuse these medications so they can achieve a more muscular body or mainly for weight loss. If your body does not need human growth hormones, it’s likely it will suffer from negative effects.
That said, beware of any place that offers any type of recombinant HGH without prescriptions. Also, beware of places with extremely low prices as chances are these are counterfeit drugs.
Conclusion
While certain ways allow you to increase the level of HGH secretion in your body naturally, it does get harder when you are older. The best way to combat AGHD is to undergo growth hormone therapy – but ensure first you are a viable patient.
