Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is a naturally occurring substance crucial for the body’s development and functions. Its potential influence on physical features, particularly the nose, is a common concern. Understanding HGH’s natural processes and effects can clarify these questions.
Human Growth Hormone Explained
Human Growth Hormone, also known as somatotropin, is a protein hormone produced and released by the pituitary gland, a small endocrine gland at the base of the brain. The hypothalamus sends signals to the pituitary gland to regulate HGH release.
During childhood and adolescence, HGH is instrumental in stimulating growth, particularly of bone and tissue. It also influences metabolism, helping the body convert food into energy, build proteins, and break down fats.
HGH’s Role in Adult Growth
Once an individual reaches adulthood and the epiphyseal growth plates in the bones have fused, HGH no longer increases height. However, HGH continues to maintain a significant role in the adult body. It helps regulate metabolism, affecting body composition by influencing fat and muscle mass. HGH also contributes to maintaining bone density and the health of various soft tissues and cartilage.
Acromegaly and Facial Alterations
A condition known as acromegaly illustrates how excessive HGH levels can lead to pronounced physical changes. Acromegaly results from the chronic overproduction of HGH, usually after growth plates have closed in adulthood, most often due to a benign pituitary gland tumor.
This sustained excess of HGH causes bones, cartilage, and soft tissues to grow disproportionately. Characteristic facial alterations include an enlarged nose, thickened lips, a jutting brow bone, and a prominent lower jaw. Hands and feet also typically become noticeably larger. These changes develop slowly over many years and are distinct from normal growth.
Appropriate vs. Misused HGH
Human Growth Hormone is a powerful substance with legitimate medical applications. Synthetic HGH is therapeutically prescribed to treat specific conditions, such as HGH deficiency in children causing short stature, and in adults with pituitary gland issues. These medical treatments involve carefully monitored dosages to restore HGH levels to a physiological range.
In contrast, HGH is sometimes misused illicitly, often by individuals seeking to enhance athletic performance or for anti-aging purposes. Such misuse typically involves unmonitored, supraphysiological doses that far exceed normal bodily levels, carrying substantial health risks.
Adverse Effects of HGH Misuse
Misuse or excessive levels of HGH can lead to a range of adverse health effects. Beyond the facial and extremity changes seen in acromegaly, which can also result from long-term HGH abuse, other risks are present.
Common side effects include nerve, muscle, and joint pain, fluid retention causing swelling in the arms and legs, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Prolonged HGH misuse can also increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes due to effects on glucose metabolism, and potentially lead to cardiovascular complications such as an enlarged heart or increased blood pressure. There is also concern about the potential for HGH to accelerate the growth of existing cancerous tumors.