Human growth hormone (HGH): why misuse carries real risks

HGH (somatropin) is a prescription medicine for specific diagnoses. Outside those indications, it is often marketed for “anti-aging,” fat loss, or performance. The pitch is usually painted as quick recovery and a leaner build. The usual more muscle mass and less body fat. The reality is dose-related side effects that tend to increase the longer exposure continues. HGH remains one of the most dangerous performance enhancing compounds.

Why people use it

HGH can reduce visceral fat and water retention changes may give the illusion of easier recovery. In growth hormone deficiency, replacing to normal levels can help energy and body composition. But using HGH without a medical indication moves the growth hormone/IGF-1 axis beyond normal physiology, and that comes with a big cost.

Common problems

Fluid retention is near universal with higher dosing. Joint aches, paresthesias, and carpal tunnel symptoms appear in many users. Edema can be obvious in the hands and ankles. Headaches sometimes reflect benign intracranial hypertension. Sleep quality may worsen, especially if underlying sleep apnea is present. These issues usually improve when the dose is reduced or stopped, but they are a warning that the body’s tolerance has been exceeded.

The major issue with HGH is that it makes everything bigger, not just your muscles.

Glucose and blood pressure

HGH antagonizes insulin at higher exposures, pushing fasting glucose and post-meal spikes upward. In people already prone to diabetes or metabolic syndrome, this matters. Fluid retention and sympathetic tone can also push blood pressure higher. Add poor sleep and stimulants and you have a setup for sustained hypertension.

In short, HGH can you put at risk for developing diabetes.

Heart structure and function

Chronically high GH/IGF-1 signaling, as seen in acromegaly, is linked to left-ventricular hypertrophy, stiffening of the heart muscle, arrhythmias, and eventual heart failure in some patients. Misuse of HGH can move the heart in the same direction over time: more mass but poorer relaxation. For someone already dealing with elevated blood pressure or sleep apnea, the combination increases risk further.

Cancer concerns

This is one of the worst concerns with HGH.

IGF-1 promotes cell growth and reduces programmed cell death. That is helpful in some repair contexts, but chronically high signaling is biologically plausible as a cancer promoter. Population data are mixed and confounded, but acromegaly cohorts and mechanistic studies raise enough concern that using HGH without a medical need is very risky.

What can be just a few easy cancer cells for your body to destroy, can grow out of control with HGH.

When HGH is appropriate

People with confirmed growth hormone deficiency may benefit from carefully titrated replacement under specialist care, with routine labs and dose adjustments. That plan aims to restore normal physiology, not to “optimize” beyond it. For healthy adults seeking fat loss or performance, the risk-benefit balance does not favor HGH. There are safer, approved avenues for weight management and training progress.

Serving patients across Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, and surrounding communities including the Toronto/GTA corridor and London, Ontario.

References

1. Cardiometabolic risks of GH excess and acromegaly lessons for practice. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2023.

2. Adult growth hormone deficiency: replacement benefits and safety. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2022.

3. GH/IGF-1 axis and neoplasia: updated evidence. Endocr Relat Cancer. 2023.

4. Adverse effects with long-acting and daily GH: edema, neuropathy, glycemia. J Clin Res Pediatr Endocrinol. 2025.

5. Sleep apnea, blood pressure, and cardiac remodeling with GH excess. Eur J Endocrinol. 2021.

6. Guidance on appropriate use and monitoring of somatropin in adults. Endocr Pract. 2020.

7. Cardiac structure in GH therapy: imaging changes over time. Front Endocrinol. 2022.

8. Clinical review of HGH misuse outside approved indications. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2024.