Dr. Alan Rogol, testifying before the U.S. House of Representatives Government Reform Committee on behalf of The Endocrine Society, outlined the legal medical use of human growth hormone (HGH) and serious repercussions surrounding its abuse by strength athletes, bodybuilders, celebrities, and those fighting against aging. He remarked that HGH abuse can lead to serious health risks.

The off-label use of HGH comes with increased risks and this will be a cause of concern for those looking for anti-aging and body image. It was revealed that indiscriminate usage of human growth hormone may lead to serious side effects such as muscle weakness and heart disease.

From News-Medical.Net:

“Magazines and the internet are replete with advertisements for substances marketed as ‘growth hormone’,” said Dr. Rogol. “Growth hormone, however, can only work if injected, and many of these preparations are taken orally, so they cannot possibly be HGH.”

These compounds falsely sold as HGH may contain other unlisted ingredients, including anabolic steroid hormones or steroid precursors, which have been found to promote the growth of tumors. These unlisted ingredients can also appear in unknown quantities, while the entire preparation is of unknown purity.

In addition, the vast majority of clinically administered growth hormone is made by recombinant DNA techniques and not from human tissue. “Growth hormone made from human tissue has largely been removed from the market because of the rare but fatal Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease,” said Dr. Rogol. “Some of the HGH now available clandestinely is of human origin and may carry this deadly biological agent.”

Dr. Rogol further remarked that people misusing this drug run the risk of severely damaging their health. It was also suggested that use of HGH must be made only in accordance with qualified medical advice and as per dosage instructions.