Human Growth Hormone (HGH): Does It Slow Aging? - Mayo Clinic

Human growth hormone (HGH): Does it slow aging?

Human growth hormone is described by some as the key to slowing the aging process. Get the facts about this claim.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Growth hormone fuels childhood growth and helps maintain tissues and organs throughout life. It's made by the pea-sized pituitary gland found at the base of the brain. After puberty, the pituitary gland gradually makes less growth hormone over time.

This natural slowdown has triggered an interest in using lab-made human growth hormone (HGH) as an anti-aging treatment. Some people claim that the use of HGH can delay some of the changes linked to aging, such as less muscle and bone mass.

If you're skeptical, good. There's little research to suggest that HGH can help otherwise healthy adults regain youth and energy. What's more, HGH treatments may raise the risk of other health conditions. Experts recommend against using HGH to treat aging or age-related conditions.

Do some adults need HGH treatment?

In some adults, the pituitary gland doesn't make enough growth hormone. This is called growth hormone deficiency. It's different from the expected decline in growth hormone due to aging. Adults with growth hormone deficiency might be prescribed lab-made HGH by their healthcare professional.

Causes of growth hormone deficiency in adulthood include:

• A tumor on the pituitary gland that isn't cancer, called pituitary adenoma.
• Pituitary gland surgery.
• Radiation therapy of the brain or pituitary gland.
• Brain damage from a car accident or a sports injury.

Childhood growth hormone deficiency also may persist into adulthood in some people.

For adults who have growth hormone deficiency, shots of HGH can:

• Boost the ability to exercise more.
• Strengthen bones.
• Increase muscle mass.
• Lower body fat.

HGH treatment also is approved to treat adults with serious weight loss and muscle wasting due HIV or AIDS.

How does HGH treatment affect healthy older adults?

Studies of healthy adults taking human growth hormone are limited and have mixed results. It appears that human growth hormone can boost muscle mass and lower the amount of body fat in healthy older adults. But the gain in muscle doesn't lead to gains in strength. It isn't clear if human growth hormone provides other benefits to healthy adults.

What are the risks of HGH treatment?

HGH treatment can cause side effects for healthy adults, including:

• A hand condition called carpal tunnel syndrome.
• High blood sugar.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Swelling in the arms and legs called edema.
• Joint and muscle pain.
• Enlarged breasts in men, also called gynecomastia.
• Higher risk of certain cancers.

Clinical studies of HGH treatment in healthy older adults have been somewhat small and short in length. So there's little information about the long-term effects of HGH treatment.

Does HGH come in pill form?

There's no pill form of human growth hormone. People who use prescription HGH to treat growth hormone deficiency take the medicine once a day or once a week in the form of a shot that's given just underneath the skin. Some dietary supplements that claim to boost levels of HGH come in pill form. But research doesn't show a benefit, and these pills may not be safe.

In the United States, it's illegal to use HGH for a condition that isn't approved by the Food and Drug Administration. So, it's against the law to use HGH for building muscle or as an anti-aging treatment. Laws about HGH may vary in other countries.

What's the bottom line?

If you have specific concerns about aging, ask your healthcare professional about proven ways to boost your health. Remember, healthy lifestyle choices can help you feel your best as you get older. So be sure to eat a healthy diet and include physical activity in your daily routine.

There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

Email Address 1 Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data.

We use the data you provide to deliver you the content you requested. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, we may combine your email and website data with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, we will only use your protected health information as outlined in our Notice of Privacy Practices. You may opt out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the email.

Subscribe!

Thank you for subscribing!

You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox.

Sorry something went wrong with your subscription

Please, try again in a couple of minutes

Retry

• Share
• Tweet

Nov. 06, 2024 Show references

1. Melmed S, et al. Endocrinology and aging. In: Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 14, 2024.
2. Bartke A, et al. Growth hormone and aging: New Findings. World Journal of Men's Health. 2021; doi:10.5534/wjmh.200201.
3. Snyder PJ. Growth hormone deficiency in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 14, 2024.
4. Comprehensive guide for patients with growth hormone deficiency from childhood to adulthood. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. https://intranet.mayo.edu/charlie/he-cs-editorial-knowledge-base/gbs-library/topic-sheets/endocrinology/. Accessed May 14, 2024.
5. Cappola AR, et al. Hormones and aging: An Endocrine Society scientific statement. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2023; doi:10.1210/clinem/dgad225.
6. Detention without physical examination of unapproved human growth hormone (hgh). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cms_ia/importalert_204.html. Accessed May 14, 2024.
7. Medical review (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. May 20, 2024.

See more In-depth

Products and Services

1. 10+ curated anti-aging skincare products at the Mayo Clinic Store.
2. A Book: Ageless Aging
3. A Book: Future Care
4. A Book: Live Younger Longer
5. A Book: Man Overboard!
6. A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book
7. A Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Arthritis
8. A Book: Mayo Clinic on Healthy Aging
9. A Book: Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance
10. A Book: Mayo Clinic on High Blood Pressure
11. A Book: Mayo Clinic on Incontinence
12. A Book: Mayo Clinic on Osteoporosis
13. A Book: The New Rules of Menopause
14. Assisted Walking and Mobility Options at Mayo Clinic Store
15. Assisted Walking and Mobility Options at Mayo Clinic Store
16. Balanced skincare Solutions from Mayo Clinic Store
17. Digestive health supplements available at the Mayo Clinic Store
18. Heart Health Supplements
19. Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition
20. Skincare Products Curated by the Center for Aesthetic Medicine & Surgery

See also

1. 8 brain health tips for a healthier you
2. Aquatic exercises
3. Bone health tips
4. Calcium
5. COVID-19 travel advice
6. Denture care: How do I clean dentures?
7. Easy bruising
8. Endovenous thermal ablation
9. Exercise benefits
10. Exercising with osteoporosis
11. Fainting during urination (micturition syncope): What causes it?
12. Hand exercises for people with arthritis
13. Happiness Goes Viral
14. Health foods
15. Heart-healthy diet: 8 steps to prevent heart disease
16. Herd immunity and coronavirus
17. High-dose flu vaccines: How are they different from other flu vaccines?
18. Long-term effects of COVID-19
19. Mayo Clinic Minute: Can you slow down age-related hearing loss?
20. Mayo Clinic Minute: Is tinnitus causing that ringing in your ear?
21. Mayo Clinic Minute: Why vaccines are especially important for older people
22. Medicine use in older adults
23. Medicines that increase fall risk in older adults
24. Protect thin skin
25. Safe outdoor activities during the COVID-19 pandemic
26. Senior sex tips
27. Vaccine guidance from Mayo Clinic
28. Vaccines for adults

Show more related content