Healthy Aging Print Human Growth Hormone (HGH) and Aging Medically reviewed by linkedin Medically reviewed by Isaac O. Opole, MD, PhD, FACP on November 26, 2019 Isaac O. Opole, MD, PhD, FACP, is a board-certified internist and a current teaching professor of medicine at the University of Kansas. Learn about our Medical Review Board Isaac O. Opole, MD, PhD, FACP on November 26, 2019 Written by twitter linkedin Written by Mark Stibich, PhD Mark Stibich, PhD, FIDSA, is a behavior change expert with experience helping individuals make lasting lifestyle improvements. Learn about our editorial policy Mark Stibich, PhD RUNSTUDIO / Getty Images More in Prevention & Treatment Healthy Aging Vaccines First Aid Occupational Therapy Holistic Health Surgery The human growth hormone (HGH) is a hormone that is made by your body in the pituitary gland and many claim that it has anti-aging properties. It is often marketed as an anti-aging hormone for adults. In children, it is important for normal growth. In adults, HGH helps regulate and maintain your tissues and organs. Children sometimes receive HGH injections because a lack of the hormone in their body is impacting their growth rate. HGH and Aging Like many hormones, HGH levels decrease as a person gets older. This is a normal part of aging. HGH is becoming a popular anti-aging supplement. Because the hormone is only available in injection form (other forms of HGH have not been proven effective) it must be given by a doctor. The cost for one year of HGH injections can be more than $15,000. The saddest part is that there has been little research on the hormone and aging. One study shows that lower HGH levels correlate to increased longevity compared to people with high levels. Benefits and Costs While human growth hormone is not the fountain of youth that people claim, there are some benefits to HGH supplementation. Of course, anyone whose body lacks the ability to make the hormone would benefit from this medical treatment. HGH also increases muscle mass (but not strength). Some people claim to have more energy and feel better on HGH supplementation, but no study has been done to rule out the placebo effect (which is likely to be strong if a person is paying $15,000 for treatments). Why All the Buzz? In 1990, an article appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine by Rudman that showed HGH improved the muscle tone and body composition of 12 older men. That tiny piece of research led to an unexpected boom in quacks and “anti-aging” doctors selling HGH-based “Cures for Aging.” Today, there are oral formulas of HGH, injections and even inhaled versions of human growth hormone. Other studies since 1990 have given mixed results. The only firm conclusion is that going to the gym can provide more benefits than HGH (if there are any benefits of HGH at all) with far less cost and risk. Side Effects The side effects of HGH are serious. They include diabetes, swelling, high blood pressure, and even heart failure. Inflammation can also occur, causing joint pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. There is also an increased risk of cancer in children using HGH supplementation and a possible increased risk of cancer in adults (though no long-term studies have been done to prove or disprove the cancer risk of HGH). Bottom Line At the moment, there is not enough evidence to recommend HGH as an anti-aging supplement. This risks, dangers, and costs are far too great for anyone to be experimenting with human growth hormone. If you talk with a doctor who recommends HGH for anti-aging, find another doctor. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Rudman D, Feller AG, Nagraj HS, et al. Effects of human growth hormone in men over 60 years old. N Engl J Med 1990;323:1-6. Vance, ML. Can Growth Hormone Prevent Aging? New England Journal of Medicine. Volume 348: 779-780. Feb 27, 2003. National Institute on Aging: National Institutes of Health. "Can We Prevent Aging?" 2/2012, updated 10/23/15. National Institute on Aging. National Institutes of Health. Pills, Patches, and Shots: Can Hormones Prevent Aging?. Continue Reading