HGH
Also known as: Somatropin, Human Growth Hormone, Growth Hormone, GH, Humatrope, Genotropin, Norditropin
Lower numbers = closer to natural. Higher numbers = more enhanced.
Why this rating?
Exogenous HGH directly replaces natural growth hormone, elevating IGF-1 levels well beyond physiological norms. Notably, controlled research (Yarasheski et al., 1992) found that adding GH to 12 weeks of heavy resistance training did NOT increase muscle protein synthesis or strength beyond resistance training alone. The extra fat-free mass GH adds is mostly water and connective tissue, not new contractile muscle. Its real enhancement value lies in fat loss, recovery/connective-tissue support, and, most importantly, synergy with anabolic steroids, where it meaningfully amplifies body-composition results. At typical bodybuilding doses (4-10 IU/day) it produces persistent single-digit-bodyfat conditioning and injury-recovery rates not achievable naturally. Rated in line with IGF-1 (its primary downstream mediator) and testosterone; chronic high-dose use combined with insulin/AAS can cause organ growth ('HGH gut'/palumboism). Prescription-only status and banning by WADA and major pro sports leagues (MLB, NBA, NFL) confirm its recognized performance-enhancing effects.
Overview
Direct replacement of the body's growth hormone for recovery, fat loss, and anti-aging. Provides systemic benefits including improved body composition, sleep, skin quality, and healing.
Important Warnings
- •HGH + insulin at high doses is one of the most dangerous combinations in bodybuilding, acute risk of severe hypoglycemia and, chronically, visceral organ growth ('HGH gut'/palumboism)
- •Raises fasting glucose and causes insulin resistance. Monitor glucose and HbA1c; not suitable for diabetics/prediabetics without medical supervision
- •Contraindicated with active malignancy: GH-driven IGF-1 promotes cell proliferation
- •Long-term high-dose use can enlarge visceral organs and the heart (acromegaly-like changes)
Purpose & Use Cases
Fat Loss
Promotes lipolysis and mobilization of stored body fat.
Recovery Enhancement
Accelerates recovery from training and injuries.
Anti-Aging
Improves skin quality, sleep, and overall well-being.
Synergy with AAS
Enhances results when combined with anabolic steroids.
Benefits
- Significant fat loss
- Enhanced recovery and healing
- Improved sleep quality
- Better skin elasticity and appearance
- Increased collagen synthesis
- Synergistic with anabolic steroids
Good to Know
Direct hormone replacement, not a secretagogue
HGH IS the hormone. You inject somatropin itself rather than stimulating your own pituitary the way MK-677, CJC-1295, ipamorelin and the GHRPs do. That makes it far more potent and dose-predictable, but it bypasses the body's feedback loops and delivers a non-physiological 'square-wave' of GH rather than natural pulses.
IGF-1 mediates most of the effects
Most of GH's anabolic and regenerative action is carried out by IGF-1, produced mainly by the liver in response to GH. IGF-1 (not GH itself) is the marker to titrate dose against, and its cell-proliferative action is why GH is contraindicated with active cancer.
Raises blood glucose and causes insulin resistance
GH is diabetogenic: it stimulates lipolysis, floods the blood with free fatty acids and antagonises insulin in muscle and liver, raising fasting glucose. The effect is dose-dependent and is the main reason GH is unsuitable for diabetics/prediabetics without close monitoring.
Water retention and carpal tunnel
GH expands extracellular fluid volume; the classic early side effect is numbness/tingling in the hands (carpal tunnel) along with joint aches and a puffy look. It is dose-dependent and usually settles when the dose is lowered.
'HGH gut' / palumboism at high dose
The distended-abdomen look on some pro bodybuilders is attributed to chronic high-dose GH combined with insulin and heavy eating: IGF-1 and insulin promote growth of the visceral organs and gut wall (visceromegaly) that the abdominal wall can no longer hold flat. Physique doses (2-6 IU) in isolation do not typically cause this.
No PCT needed: but it is not 'free'
GH does not suppress the testosterone (HPTA) axis, so no PCT is required. It does down-regulate your own GH output while you run it, and the metabolic costs (glucose, IGF-1, organ growth at extremes) are real.
Timing around insulin/carbs matters for fat loss
GH's lipolytic effect is blunted when insulin is high, so users chasing fat loss often inject fasted (AM or pre-cardio) and keep the surrounding window low-carb. For lean-mass and recovery goals timing is less critical since results build over months.
Dosage Guidelines
| Experience Level | Dosage Range |
|---|---|
| Beginner | 2 – 4 IU/day |
| Intermediate | 4 – 6 IU/day |
| Advanced | 6 – 10 IU/day |
These ranges are community-derived (bodybuilding coaching/forum consensus), not clinical dosing, no formal medical literature establishes bodybuilding dosing. Most start at 1-2 IU/day and titrate up over 2-4 weeks to manage water retention/carpal tunnel. Doses above ~10 IU/day ("elite"/pro-level, up to 15+ IU) are typically only run with concurrent insulin and close glucose monitoring due to steep insulin-resistance risk. Benefits become apparent after 2-3 months; best results with long-term use (6+ months).
Side Effects
Insulin Resistance
commonCan impair insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, especially at higher doses.
Monitor blood glucose and HbA1c. Consider Metformin or Berberine.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
commonWater retention in wrists causing numbness and tingling in hands.
Usually subsides with time. Reduce dose if severe.
Joint Pain
commonJoint discomfort from water retention and tissue growth.
Reduce dose; usually improves with time.
Organ Growth
rareLong-term high-dose use can cause organ enlargement (visceral growth).
Use moderate doses; avoid prolonged high-dose use.
General Mitigation Strategies
Blood glucose monitoring with HbA1c tests. Start with lower doses and titrate up. Side effects often diminish after the first few weeks as body adjusts.
Support Supplements
Ancillary supplements commonly run alongside HGH to manage side effects, support the target tissue, or fill nutrient demands it creates.
Blood glucose monitoring (glucometer/CGM)
KeyGH reliably raises fasting glucose and blunts insulin sensitivity through increased lipolysis and circulating free fatty acids. Tracking fasting glucose, HbA1c and ideally fasting insulin/HOMA-IR is the single most useful 'support' for a GH user.
- Timing
- Fasting readings; HbA1c every 8-12 weeks
- When
- Especially important above ~4 IU/day, when stacking insulin, or with any family history of diabetes.
Berberine or Metformin
AMPK activators that offset GH-induced insulin resistance and fasting-glucose creep.
- Dose
- Berberine 500mg 2-3x daily; Metformin per prescription
- Timing
- With carb-containing meals
- When
- Use if glucose/HbA1c trend toward prediabetic. Metformin is more effective but prescription-only; additive hypoglycemia risk if insulin is also run.
Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)
Does not suppress natural hormone production in a way that requires PCT.
How It Works
HGH stimulates the liver to produce IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1), which mediates most of growth hormone's effects. It increases lipolysis, stimulates protein synthesis, and promotes cellular regeneration throughout the body.
Fundamentals
Reference on the practices relevant to HGH: how they are done and where they go wrong. Not a recommendation to use it.
Common Stacks
- HGH + Testosterone - Synergistic for body composition
- HGH + Insulin - Advanced mass building (dangerous)
- HGH + Peptides (CJC/Ipamorelin) - Enhanced GH pulsatility
Legal Status
Prescription only (USA); not a DEA-scheduled controlled substance, but distributing or possessing it for non-FDA-approved (e.g. bodybuilding/anti-aging) use is a federal felony under 21 U.S.C. § 333(e).
Legal status varies by country and changes over time. This is a general summary, not legal advice.
WADA Status
Human Growth Hormone (somatropin) and its analogues are prohibited at all times under WADA category S2.
References
- Effects of growth hormone on glucose metabolism and insulin resistance (Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2017)
- The effects of growth hormone on adipose tissue: old observations, new mechanisms (PMC7180987)
- Abdominal Hypertrophy Syndrome ('HGH gut'): Characteristics and Potential Pathophysiology (PMC11578072)
- Yarasheski et al. 1992: Effect of growth hormone and resistance exercise on muscle growth in young men (Am J Physiol, PMID 1550219)