The popularity of human growth hormone (hGH) is based on the
widespread knowledge that it is effective, efficient, hard to
detect and without major side-effects if well dosed - even if less
people know what this exactly means.
Athletes and body-builders claimed that hGH increased lean
body mass and decreased fat mass. Today, the use of hGH in sport is
not only based on these anabolic properties, but also on its effect
on carbohydrate and fat deposits in the body.
The extent to which hGH actually improves performance is
still under debate. In adults who lack hGH because their body does
not produce sufficient amounts, injection of the hormone increases
the muscle mass while it decreases the fat mass.
It also shows favourable effects on exercise capacity as well
as kidney and heart function. These positive effects are, however,
less clear in athletes. There is a remarkable difference between
the objective results from scientific studies and subjective
reports by abusers. The true benefits of hGH are even more
difficult to determine since hGH frequently is used in combination
with anabolic steroids or EPO.
The long-term risks of hGH abuse are not well known since
there are no data describing the wellbeing of healthy sportsmen.
Acromegaly, a complex of symptoms including swelling of the hands
and feet, coarsened facial appearance, joint pain, fluid retention
and excessive sweating is often cited as a major risk of excessive
use. An abuser may also be at risk for diabetes, hypertension,
heart muscle damage and osteoporosis.
HGH has been forbidden in sports since 1989 and belongs to
category S2 "hormones and related substances" on the list
of prohibited substances. While its detection in the urine is
unreliable and expensive, you need to know that new blood tests can
identify hGH abuse.
