The growth hormone is significant for normal body functioning as they regulate the physical, cognitive, and functional aspects. The human body naturally supplements balanced hormones to promote our wellbeing and quality of life.
However, as you age, the growth hormone levels tend to decline, disrupting the normal body function. In some cases, hormonal imbalance causes health issues that require medical assistance for treatment.
What Causes the Decline of HGH in Adults?
The human growth hormone is released by the pituitary gland to stimulate growth, metabolism, cell recovery, and body appearance.
When you have a pituitary tumor or other conditions causing abnormal growth of the pituitary gland, hormone production reduces significantly. As you age, you may experience adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD), a problem that will lower your quality of life. With AGHD, you become more susceptible to various diseases. Also, HGH can affect weight loss and when you’re deficient your attempts to burn some fat can be failed.
The common low growth hormone symptoms are:
- Lower physical performance
- Abdominal fat deposit
- Skin dryness and thinning
- Decreased muscle strength
- Lower bone mass
AGHD also causes some psychological issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, lack of self-control, social isolation, and depression. These are often associated with the physical and functional problems of hormonal imbalance.
How to diagnose growth hormone deficiency?
If you experience the above symptoms, then you should visit the doctor’s office to diagnose growth hormone deficiency. Besides assessing insulin sensitivity, an insulin tolerance test (ITT) is the most promising GHD test.
When administering an insulin injection, doctors hope to induce hypoglycemia by stimulating a physiological stress reaction. If the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands are functioning properly, then hypoglycemia will trigger a cortisol response. For effective diagnosis, your body must attain enough hypoglycemia with a blood glucose level of less than 2.2 mmol/L.
Technological advancement in health care has also led to the invention of other reliable growth hormone deficiency tests like the GHRH + Arginine test. The doctor will administer a dose of arginine via drips to stimulate the release of HGH. A blood sample will then indicate the presence of normal or insufficient HGH levels.
For effective hormone treatment, consider seeking the services of an endocrinologist.
3 Best Options to Optimize HGH Levels
In adults, untreated GDH can result in reduced quality of life due to poor health, lower metabolism, and reduced energy levels. To be on the safer side, you should consider the available effective options to raise HGH.
HGH replacement therapy
As a treatment option for GHD, more adults are now opting for HGH replacement therapy. Doctors commonly assigned HGH through injections with a proper dosage to achieve optimal GH levels.
The common side effects of HGH therapy are skin numbness, edema, pain, elevated cholesterol levels, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Note that a certified physician must prescribe and administer HGH injections for health safety and efficacy.
Supplements
You can also opt for hormonal supplements to offset the imbalance for normal body functioning.
GABA
Using a GABA supplement is a great way to temporarily increase growth hormone production by promoting a calm mind and quality sleep. The GABA supplement stimulates hormone release both at rest and when exercising.
Arginine
Arginine is an amino acid that also helps to promote growth hormone secretion. However, arginine is only effective if taken without any physical activity that could compromise the body’s response.
Melatonin
Melatonin promotes sleepiness, therefore, stimulating the natural production of growth hormone. However, due to the mental effects of melatonin, you should consult a doctor before using the supplement. Also, start with smaller doses to determine your level of tolerance.
Glutamine
Although not as effective as the other natural supplements, glutamine may elevate HGH levels by a significant percentage. The effects of glutamine are temporary, and it is more effective when taken at rest.
Exercise and sleep
Cardio and high-intensity exercises promote fat burning for effective weight management. Abdominal fat is a sign of low growth hormone in the body, and working out will help torch these fats for healthy living. Interval training, sprinting, weight lifting, and circuit training promote HGH secretion.
However, for long term growth hormone production, you should get enough sleep. Try strategies like reducing exposure to blue light before going to sleep. The pituitary gland will stimulate HGH prior to midnight while experiencing smaller pulses in the early mornings.
Recent Comments