Should Human Growth Hormone (HGH) be a part of BHRT?
Should human growth hormone (HGH) be a part of a bio-identical hormone replacement therapy? This is a question that is debated frequently by the experts in integrative medicine today. There is much controversy surrounding the subject of human growth hormone (also known as HGH or GH). The source of the controversy comes from the fact that athletes have been known to abuse this hormone. It is also feared that it may cause cancer. However, many cutting edge endocrinologists are now testing for GH levels in patients who come into their office with symptoms of menopause and andropause. Symptoms of low human growth hormone include: lowered brain function, slow healing of injuries and wounds (slow cellular reproduction), difficulty losing weight, low energy levels. Human growth hormone is often the missing component in a natural hormone replacement therapy regimen.
One of the greatest fears about HGH is that people think that it causes cancer. However, this is not a justified fear because it is actually a metabolic hormone. Over 30 studies have shown that HGH does not cause either new cancer or stimulate recurrent cancer. Ideal levels of growth hormone builds protein and burn fat. During the early 20s, the levels of growth hormone begin to naturally decrease, but once a person hits their mid 40s, human growth hormone levels abruptly decline. This sharp decline in GH levels is known as somatopause. Somatopause is the period of time before pre-menopause, menopause and andropause. The benefits which come from accurate levels of growth hormone in the system include a reduction in body fat, improved elasticity of the skin, improved mood, stronger muscles, increased energy and an increase in overall lean body mass.
HGH should never be taken as part of an athletic performance program. It should only be prescribed if hormone tests have shown that human growth hormone levels are low in the body. Hormone test results will indicate to the physician whether or not HGH needs to be replaced as a part of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy.
There supplements one can take to promote human growth hormone. Some supplements have been identified which help boost HGH in the body. These HGH supplements should be taken accompanied by a healthy lifestyle consisting of nutritious food and a regular exercise program and adequate sleep. If your doctor will not prescribe HGH for you, these supplements help increase GH levels over a period of time. Supplements which increase acetylcholine will stimulate human growth levels. The following is a list of certain amino acids which will also boost GH levels: These amino acids are:
- I-Glutamine: 2,00 mg per day
- I-Arginine: 2,000 to 3,000 mg per day
- I-Ornithine: 2,000 to 6,000 mg per day
- I-Tyrosine: 1,000 mg per day
- I-Glycine: 1,000 mg per day
- 1-Lysine: 1,200 mg per day
Vitamin B3, vitamin b6, vitamin C, calcium, potassium and zinc should be also be taken with the above amino acid supplements for the most effectiveness. Your lifestyle should also include regular exercise, quality sleep, stress reduction and eating the correct amounts of protein in your diet. You can buy GH supplements separately but manufacturers have now made these separate supplements available in one formula. For example, one such supplement is the SL Series® HGH Max with added Amino Acids made by Sendel Labs. Amazon sells it for only $45 for 60 capsules, a one month supply (two capsules per day). The SL Series® HGH Max ingredient list includes: Arginine (L-Arginine hcl), Ornithine (L-Ornithine hcl), Lysine (L-Lysine hcl), Glutamine (L-Glutamine hcl), Colostrum (Bovine), Ornithine Alphaketoglutarate, Glycerine (L-Glycerine hcl). Other Ingredients: Gelatin, Di-calcium Phosphate, Magnesium Stearate, Stearic Acid. Right now, if you purchase two or more products by Sendel Labs, you can save $5.00 with free shipping.
Currently, the problem for people with low levels of growth hormone is that it is very difficult to obtain human growth hormone even as a part of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy program. Growth hormone injections or homeopathic drops are also very expensive. This is an unfortunate situation for people who need to supplement growth hormone because it improves brain function, heart functioning, wound repair, metabolism of fats and it reverses atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries.
Doctors usually prescribe HGH once a week injected or as part of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy beginning with 0.2 mg per day. One of the chief reasons that GH should only be taken under medical supervision is that taking too much GH can cause unwanted symptoms such as insulin resistance, painful joints, and edema. Medical supervision of the use of HGH is required and this is the reason why it should only be used with a doctor’s advice and prescription.
As a part of natural bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, a doctor will start with the basic hormones – natural estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and DHEA program. The assessment of what hormones to replace comes after a hormone blood or saliva test demonstrates which hormones need to be replaced. A hormone test should also include a thyroid and adrenal function evaluation. Not everyone needs human growth hormone replacement. If the levels are low, but GH is too expensive, the natural supplement for improving GH can be taken. Over a period of approximately six months, improvements in the levels of GH can be seen.
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Saliva Hormone Testing
Before you begin a bio-identical hormone replacement therapy program, you must have your hormone levels tested. There are two ways in which to have your hormone levels tested. The usual way is to have a blood test which measures the blood serum or the blood plasma content of the hormones. The second way of testing available hormones in the body is saliva hormone testing. Saliva hormone testing is a more accurate form of testing because it actually measures the amount of sex hormones in the tissues whereas blood serum tests cannot.
It is possible to ask your bioidentical medical professional to have a saliva test rather than a blood serum test performed when you have to have your hormones tested. You can also purchase a saliva hormone test from a compounding pharmacy. You will perform the saliva test at home, take your results back to the compounding pharmacy and they will ship your results off to a lab. The lab will then return your results to the compounding pharmacy, you pick up the results and head over to your doctor’s office to then have a prescription made up for the bio-identical hormones you need.
The reason that hormone blood tests are not as accurate as a saliva hormone test is that bioavailable “free” hormones do not circulate in blood serum. Saliva hormone tests are able to demonstrate the levels of free hormones in the blood which not bound by serum binding proteins. These “free” hormones can then enter the tissues and are said to be “active.”
Saliva hormone testing will show the total amount of hormones that can be used by our cells. In this way, saliva testing is the more accurate method of testing hormones because these “free” hormones can actually be used by our cells. Blood testing will only show the hormones circulating in the body, whether or not they are available to be used by the cells.
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