Performance-enhancing drugs: Know the risks #4

Human Growth Hormone

What is it?

Synthetic human growth hormone was developed in 1985 and approved for specific uses in children and adults. In children, HGH injections are approved for treating short stature of unknown cause as well as poor growth due to a number of medical causes, including:

• Turner's syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects a girl's development.
• Prader-Willi syndrome, an uncommon genetic disorder causing poor muscle tone, low levels of sex hormones, and a constant feeling of hunger.
• Chronic kidney insufficiency.
• HGH deficiency or insufficiency.
• Children born small for gestational age.

In adults, approved uses of HGH include:

• Short bowel syndrome, a condition in which nutrients are not properly absorbed due to severe intestinal disease or the surgical removal of a large portion of the small intestine.
• HGH deficiency due to rare pituitary tumors or their treatment.
• Muscle-wasting disease associated with HIV/AIDS.

Human growth hormone, also known as gonadotropin, is a hormone that has an anabolic effect. Athletes take it to improve muscle mass and performance. However, it hasn't been shown conclusively to improve either strength or endurance. It is available only by prescription and is administered by injection.

Risks

Adverse effects related to human growth hormone range in severity and may include:

• Nerve, muscle and joint pain
• Muscle weakness
• Fluid retention
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Impaired glucose regulation
• Cardiomyopathy
• High cholesterol (hyperlipidemia)
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Numbness and tingling of the skin
• HGH usage can also contribute to the growth of cancerous tumours. 

Our next instalment looks at erythropoietin, the notorious “cyclists’ drug of choice” and the drug that triggered the downfall of Lance Armstrong, seven time Tour de France winner.