HGH (recombinant human growth hormone)
Muscle & Strength · Recombinant peptide hormone
Tier C-
High-risk evidence profile
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades HGH (recombinant human growth hormone) as C- (4.2/10) based on weak-moderate evidence, med benefit magnitude, and a med-high-risk safety profile.
Its high-risk evidence profile reflects a Safety score of 3.5/10; reported benefits and harms can differ by indication, dose, route, duration, and population.
Rudman 1990 NEJM revived anti-aging interest — but followups show muscle gain with no functional improvement and high side effect burden.
Studied, labeled, or reported-use context: Clinical: 0. — Rx for approved indications; off-label/illicit for anti-aging/performance illegal in US; not individualized guidance.
What the evidence says
Rudman 1990 NEJM revived anti-aging interest — but followups show muscle gain with no functional improvement and high side effect burden. Liu 2007 Annals systematic review: in healthy older adults, HGH increases lean mass modestly but increases adverse events without improving performance. Expensive; counterfeits widespread in illicit market.
Mechanism
Exogenous somatotropin; binds GHR; raises IGF-1; lipolytic; promotes collagen, cartilage, connective tissue; muscle anabolism modest on its own but synergistic with androgens
Studied, labeled, or reported dose & route
Clinical: 0.005-0.03 mg/kg/day subQ; anti-aging/illicit: 2-4 IU/day
This records doses and routes described in studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use. It is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety; context changes with indication, formulation, health history, monitoring, and other medicines.
Citations
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Common questions
- What does the evidence show about HGH (recombinant human growth hormone)'s effects?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for HGH (recombinant human growth hormone) as Weak-Moderate and the benefit magnitude as med, producing an overall grade of C- (4.2/10). Rudman 1990 NEJM revived anti-aging interest — but followups show muscle gain with no functional improvement and high side effect burden.
- What safety findings are reported for HGH (recombinant human growth hormone)?
- HGH (recombinant human growth hormone) has a med-high risk profile in the database. Med-High (carpal tunnel, edema, insulin resistance / overt diabetes, arthralgia; tumor growth promotion concern; cardiomegaly at high chronic doses; expensive — $800-1500/month) Legal status: Rx for approved indications; off-label/illicit for anti-aging/performance illegal in US (Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 specifically criminalizes non-indicated HGH).
- What does the low Safety score for HGH (recombinant human growth hormone) represent?
- The Safety score is 3.5/10. It records the substantial harms described for one or more use contexts; the Benefit score, indication, dose, route, duration, population, and legal status remain separate parts of the evidence profile.
- What doses or routes are reported for HGH (recombinant human growth hormone)?
- Clinical: 0.005-0.03 mg/kg/day subQ; anti-aging/illicit: 2-4 IU/day This is context from studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use; it is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety.
- How does HGH (recombinant human growth hormone) work?
- Exogenous somatotropin; binds GHR; raises IGF-1; lipolytic; promotes collagen, cartilage, connective tissue; muscle anabolism modest on its own but synergistic with androgens
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.