Human growth hormone (HGH) is a peptide hormone that stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and cell regeneration. For children and adolescents who have a growth hormone deficiency and are not reaching their full height potential, HGH therapy can help increase their adult height. However, HGH takes time to exert its effects and height changes happen gradually over 1-2 years.
There are several key factors that influence when you might see height changes from HGH therapy:
- Age - Younger children who are still in a major growth phase tend to respond better and faster than older teenagers whose growth plates are nearly fused. Growth potential with HGH decreases after puberty.
- Dosage - Your doctor will prescribe an individualized HGH dosage based on your deficiency levels, weight, age and gender. Optimal dosing is important for HGH to work properly. Too little may not spur growth and too much can lead to side effects.
- Consistency - It takes consistent, daily HGH injections to maintain blood levels for optimal growth effects. Skipping or taking a "drug holiday" can stall progress.
- Other medications - Your doctor may prescribe other medications to be taken with HGH therapy to boost its effects. These can include growth hormone secretagogues, aromatase inhibitors and more.
Here is a general
timeline for when to expect height changes from HGH therapy:
- 1-3 months - You're unlikely to see actual height changes this early on. However, early on you may notice increased energy, better sleep, improved skin and faster hair/nail growth as your IGF-1 levels increase. This shows the HGH is exerting its metabolic effects.
- 3-6 months - This is when some outward signs of growth may become noticeable, such as tighter fitting clothes and shoes. Minor growth spurts of 1⁄2 inch gains may occur during this time.
- 9-12 months - Most patients start seeing major height accelerations at this point if their treatment is working well. Average gains after a year on HGH range from 2-3 inches.
- 1-2 years - Steady height improvements tend to continue over the next year. Your rate of growth will gradually start slowing down as you near your genetically predetermined height potential.
- 2 years - After the 2nd year, height gains usually tapper off with only subtle increases happening until growth plates fuse. HGH therapy is generally continued until adult height is reached.
The expert physicians at
Hormone Health Clinic specialize in growth
hormone therapy for height deficiency as well as treating other hormonal conditions. We individualize treatment plans with high-quality hormones, close patient monitoring and supportive care for the best possible treatment outcomes.
Contact us today for a free consultation to see if HGH can help you meet your height goals!