Everyone produces the human growth hormone from conception. It is the microscopic protein that enables us to grow larger as well as protect us from cellular degeneration. It is quite literally the fountain of our youth. Once we get older our bodies decrease the amount of human growth hormones produced. The hormone is released into our bloodstream from the anterior region of the pituitary gland is either during the first hours of sleep or when we exercise. It is not known how much is produced per person but the hormone only stays in our bloodstream for a few minutes.
Human growth hormones are produced in the pituitary gland in the brain. The protein is similar to insulin produced in the body. Once the pituitary gland produces some of the hormone it is released in to the blood stream. Some of it will bind itself to the liver and the rest of it is converted to Somatomedin-C, which is another protein hormone. A normal level of the human growth hormone in young adults is 200 to 450 ng/ml. As we age the amount decreases considerably. The average person over 40 years of age may have as little as 200 ng/ml when the hormone is secreted in their bloodstream. When the level falls below 200 ng/ml the body starts deteriorating.
When your body begins making a lesser amount of growth hormones your body will undergo some big changes. Symptoms of reduced human growth hormone in the bloodstream include weight gain of 30 to 50 pounds, fatigue, a decrease in lean muscle mass and a decrease in mental capacity. All of these symptoms are associated with old age. Unfortunately many people that suffer from immunodeficiency diseases and heart and lung diseases no matter what their age may suffer from these hormonal imbalance problems as well.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of human growth hormone in children that aren't growing at an acceptable rate comparable to their peers and in the treatment of hypopituitarism. Human growth hormones have also been used in individuals who want to reverse some of the signs of aging such as reduction of wrinkles and age spots, increase metabolism and healing properties. Those that use the human growth hormone for cosmetic reasons will not be covered under most insurance policies whereas the treatment for hypopituitarism is covered by insurance.
Current human growth hormone therapy, when given in low doses, has many recuperative effects for patients. They have reported increased energy, which in turn increases the incidence of exercise in those previously overweight. The patients on this therapy also had a decrease in fat and an increase in lean muscle tissue. Patients have also reported less "brain fog" after starting the therapy. They report that they have better short-term and long-term memories when they take low doses of the hormone.
The effects of human growth hormones are immeasurable. The practical applications for the hormone prescribed by a doctor may help people with diseases that leave them at risk for other illnesses, help people who have difficulty healing and may have an application for people with memory disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. The use of this type of hormone therapy is in its infancy stage and we can expect a lot of positive applications in the near future.