Diabetes and HGH

The term diabetes HGH is as confusing as the available information on the connection between the two. Diabetes is, of course, a well known disease. Those who suffer from diabetes have high blood sugar levels, either because they cannot produce enough insulin, (a hormone that regulates cell uptake of glucose), or because their cells have become resistant to insulin's effects. Human growth hormone (HGH) is not the same hormone; however, it does play a role in the regulation of blood sugar. The effects of human growth hormone on blood sugar levels are complex and the long term risks of abnormal HGH levels in adults, with respect to diabetes, are not well understood.

To unravel the facts about the relationship between diabetes HGH and insulin, it's important to understand some basic facts. HGH is produced by the pituitary while insulin is produced by the pancreas. Among other things, HGH acts on cells in the liver to stimulate the production of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) - don't let the name confuse you: this is not insulin. IGF-I, like HGH acts on a number of cells in the body. High levels of IGF-I decrease the uptake of insulin by body cells and the metabolism of glucose in the liver. High levels of IGF-I also decrease production of HGH, which will in turn lead to decreased IGF-I.

Logically, it would seem that a deficiency of human growth hormone should result in low blood sugar levels rather than high while, in diabetes HGH therapy should make things worse. As in many metabolic processes, it's just not that simple. Some sources report that hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a symptom of adult growth hormone deficiency, while others report that the onset of diabetes is a side effect of growth hormone therapy, even in those who have a deficiency (as opposed to people using HGH for anti aging purposes). Meanwhile, increased insulin sensitivity (increased uptake of glucose by cells) resulting in hypoglycemia is also seen in some people receiving growth hormone injections. In children, the onset of diabetes can be a side effect of HGH treatment.

In most patients who have experienced the diabetes HGH treatment combination, but have not had diabetes in the past, discontinuing the hormone treatments has resulted in blood sugar levels returning to normal. Critics point out that the use of growth hormone treatment for anti aging, when no conventional deficiency exists, has only been a practice in the last decade or so. There have not been any studies carried out over a sufficiently long period of time to determine whether there are permanent effects on blood sugar regulation. One thing seems clear: until we know more, people with established blood sugar abnormalities should probably stay away from human growth hormone therapy for anti aging.