Considering HGH Use

rezzie

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I've been thinking about getting on hgh, likely at a low dose somewhere in the 6-8IUs per day range. I'm 18 yrs old, and my main goals are adding bonemass/musclemass while keeping my growth hormone supply elevated for general health. Since I'm on Reta and will be tracking my glucose, appetite shouldn't be an issue that pushes me toward diabetes. Since I was 15 I've already been using natural approaches to max out my test and growth hormone (I've had a beard since i was 16). It's clear I'm either past-puberty or at the end of it, so height gain isn't really my reason. I realize taking test is obviosuly much better, but Its so much more work, especially since I want to have kids and would have to deal with hgc and a million other ones to take to counteract the side effects. Its very tiring, and naturally maxing out my hgh is almost impossible, so if im going to take a peptide for it i would rather have it be exogenous instead of something like ipa/cjc.

Im wondering if any of you guys have been on a long-term lowdose of HGH and how it worked for you.
 
At your age, it's premature. Any upside would be minimal, and hgh works gradually, so you probably wouldn't have the patience to notice or feel the results.
 
I'm with you. Also, 6-8 IU’s is definitely not a low amount. Quit paying attention to tiktok influencers who spout nonsense and have no idea what they're doing.
 
BillGoldberg said:

I'm with you. Also, 6-8 IU’s is definitely not a low amount. Quit paying attention to tiktok influencers who spout nonsense and have no idea what they're doing.
at my age, 2-3 IU would probably not be much above what my body already makes naturally, i figure. for real, visible results, a long-term 6-8 IU protocol strikes me as the safest option i could run.

i would really like to hear why being too young applies to me, given that doctors hand out the same thing i would be using, or in some cases double that amount, to children who are quite a bit younger than i am. (naturally, this assumes i follow the same safety steps they do).
 
rezzie said:

BillGoldberg said:

I'm with you. Also, 6-8 IU’s is definitely not a low amount. Quit paying attention to tiktok influencers who spout nonsense and have no idea what they're doing.
at my age, 2-3 IU would probably not be much above what my body already makes naturally, i figure. for real, visible results, a long-term 6-8 IU protocol strikes me as the safest option i could run.

i would really like to hear why being too young applies to me, given that doctors hand out the same thing i would be using, or in some cases double that amount, to children who are quite a bit younger than i am. (naturally, this assumes i follow the same safety steps they do).
Are you aware of which labs have to be tracked while using hgh, the way to order them, and the way to interpret the results? Do you have any idea what your baseline levels look like? Are you aware of which symptoms you should be on the lookout for?

The fact that doses are what you're discussing, rather than target response levels, strongly suggests you don't know enough to be going down this path.
 
Replacement doses of hgh at that age are about; Age <30 years: 0.4–0.5 mg/day 1mg hgh = 3iu

so 1.2-1.5iu/day - what your body is normally exposed to.. at 6-8iu/day you are talking about 5 x the amount normally in your body, with a different pattern over the day/night that is not as good as the natural pattern. Bodybuilding forums like Meso tend to make high dose hgh sound much more normal and benign, and often use pretty high doses making 6-8iu sound like a small dose. It is definitely enough to cause side effects like fluid retention and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Yes reta will probably stop the rise in blood sugar.

In most ways the bigger problem is your age. If at 58 I take a small amount of hgh like 1.5iu/day, it might or might not increase my risks of cancer or heart disease over the long term, but my long term is a lot shorter than yours, I really only need to worry about what it might do over 10-15 years, whereas at 18 you need to worry about what it might do 60 years from now, so that those possible or not large risks could really matter as you get older, as there is lots and lots of time for them to act. It is absolutely proven that people and especially animals with growth hormone deficiency live longer, it is not proof that high hgh levels will make you live a shorter life but it is pretty strongly suggestive. And hitting your body with something that might have that effect at 18 is more risky than someone older doing it.
 
rezzie said:

BillGoldberg said:

I'm with you. Also, 6-8 IU’s is definitely not a low amount. Quit paying attention to tiktok influencers who spout nonsense and have no idea what they're doing.
at my age, 2-3 IU would probably not be much above what my body already makes naturally, i figure. for real, visible results, a long-term 6-8 IU protocol strikes me as the safest option i could run.

i would really like to hear why being too young applies to me, given that doctors hand out the same thing i would be using, or in some cases double that amount, to children who are quite a bit younger than i am. (naturally, this assumes i follow the same safety steps they do).
Have you looked up why HGH could be harmful at your age?

Using Human Growth Hormone (HGH) at 18 when there is no medical deficiency is risky, against the law without a prescription, and not likely to add height once growth plates have fused

. It carries serious adverse effects such as joint pain, insulin resistance/diabetes, carpal tunnel syndrome, fluid retention, and, when misused, dangerous acromegaly (abnormal tissue growth).

Potential Risks and Effects:

  • Bone and Joint Issues: Danger of acromegaly, a condition that produces excessive, abnormal growth of bones and tissues. Chronic joint/muscle pain and scoliosis can also occur.
  • Metabolic Disruption: Elevated chance of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes.
  • Cardiovascular Strain: Possible heart enlargement, high blood pressure, and heart failure.
  • Other Side Effects: Carpal tunnel syndrome, severe fluid retention (edema), gynecomastia (breast enlargement in males), and a higher cancer risk.
  • Illegal and Unregulated: HGH use for bodybuilding or performance enhancement is unlawful and, when purchased illicitly, frequently counterfeit.

    Orlando Health +8
By 18, natural growth has generally finished, so the dangers greatly exceed any possible, unproven advantages for athletic performance or aesthetics.

I can't take this post seriously.
 
Using it for an extended period at that kind of dosage can absolutely lead to acromegaly, and my guess is that an oversized nose, pronounced brow ridges, an enlarged jaw, thicker and rougher skin, larger hands, and so on are not things you are after.

wrote this prior to the earlier post
 
I don't want to jump on the bandwagon, but I really agree with what's been said above: starting HGH at 18 is probably going to hurt you far more than it helps. I completely understand feeling invincible at your age and wanting to brush off the warnings you see here, but seriously, for the time being just focus on nailing your training, nutrition and sleep—you'll get amazing results without needing any supplements.
 
Like @lessthanhalf pointed out, longevity and growth pull in opposite directions. Those elderly folks you see on local news hitting 100? They weren't using growth compounds when they were younger. More often than not they're female — in part because men naturally carry far more testosterone.

rezzie said:

I've been thinking about getting on hgh, likely at a low dose somewhere in the 6-8IUs per day range. I'm 18 yrs old, and my main goals are adding bonemass/musclemass while keeping my growth hormone supply elevated for general health. Since I'm on Reta and will be tracking my glucose, appetite shouldn't be an issue that pushes me toward diabetes. Since I was 15 I've already been using natural approaches to max out my test and growth hormone (I've had a beard since i was 16). It's clear I'm either past-puberty or at the end of it, so height gain isn't really my reason. I realize taking test is obviosuly much better, but Its so much more work, especially since I want to have kids and would have to deal with hgc and a million other ones to take to counteract the side effects. Its very tiring, and naturally maxing out my hgh is almost impossible, so if im going to take a peptide for it i would rather have it be exogenous instead of something like ipa/cjc.

Im wondering if any of you guys have been on a long-term lowdose of HGH and how it worked for you.

A fair amount of that is bro science — some truth mixed with fantasy. The sole reliable method to determine whether your growth has finished is a bone age X-ray from an endocrinologist, which shows if the growth plates have fused. As you brought up, testosterone typically causes more harm than good, and it also carries the risk of early hair thinning and loss (which speeds up visible aging). On top of that, testosterone raises estrogen, and estrogen can cause the plates to fuse too soon.
 
BillGoldberg said:

I'm with you. Also, 6-8 IU’s is definitely not a low amount. Quit paying attention to tiktok influencers who spout nonsense and have no idea what they're doing.
At that dosage, he'll end up diabetic within 12 months.
 
Over on Meso, they don't hold back when guys in their early 20s come asking about compounds — and for good reason:

"You may have been in the gym, but you definitely weren't training."

"If you have at least one single working brain cell then give it a second thought."

"Some combination of your training, recovery, and diet are bad. Probably all three. Drugs don't fix this."

"You’re probably too fat to make the most out of your cycle."

"No abs = skinny fat. Deal with it."

"Abs are made in the kitchen. You don't need to train them for them to show. You need to lose the fat. Don't delude yourself."

"This is about where OP stops replying and goes back to tik tok or reddit where they enable and encourage bad decisions. Que sera."

"Go train for 3 years, build a great natty physique. Learn how to diet and train then reevaluate. Not hating but come on you clearly haven't been training consistently."

"Having hard looking glutes is more important than even abs in assessing whether somebody is shredded."

"Guys who still haven't really figured out training/food/lifestyle stuff yet often add in gear and get pretty poor results."

"You did everything completely wrong. Download my fitness pal and get a food scale immediately. Learn about a calorie deficit, then start reading the nutrition facts of every single piece of food you buy, and if they’re not on the package, google them. Track every single calorie that goes in your body. If you can’t do this, this lifestyle is not for you."

"Fielding questions from clueless boys who have neither the time nor interest in working out or dieting."

Click to expand...

And the kindest thing said in that thread:

"You would be absolutely BLOWN tf away by what you could accomplish in 6 months with a halfway structured eating and training plan."
 
Airborne Daddy said:

I used 2iu 5 days a week, and 2 weeks later my glucose hit 160.... i tossed it
The beginning dose ought to be roughly 1/2 IU, then raised gradually. Blood sugar levels will return to normal on their own.
 
CNCCurrency said:

Airborne Daddy said:

I used 2iu 5 days a week, and 2 weeks later my glucose hit 160.... i tossed it
The beginning dose ought to be roughly 1/2 IU, then raised gradually. Blood sugar levels will return to normal on their own.

I appreciate that piece of info. Being a woman in my middle years, I’ve been giving some thought to HGH. I already have a kit on hand, though I’m not hurrying to start it, given all the very sensible points raised earlier.
 
@CNCCurrency It comes down to which source you consult. A few sources claim 1/2 to 1, others claim 2.... I never requested a beginner dose, that was simply my pick. I'm fed up with you nitpicking and adding to every single thing I write. If I mention pinning 200mg of test, you'll jump in with how smaller amounts are far more suitable....in fact newer studies suggest 100mg to 140mg could be safer and yield better results while cutting down on negative effects. Just put me on IGNORE, same as I'm doing to you...
 
Airborne Daddy said:

@CNCCurrency It comes down to which source you consult. A few sources claim 1/2 to 1, others claim 2.... I never requested a beginner dose, that was simply my pick. I'm fed up with you nitpicking and adding to every single thing I write. If I mention pinning 200mg of test, you'll jump in with how smaller amounts are far more suitable....in fact newer studies suggest 100mg to 140mg could be safer and yield better results while cutting down on negative effects. Just put me on IGNORE, same as I'm doing to you...
Based on the way you worked it out, chances are you were actually dosing 3 times higher than you believed. It comes down to your arithmetic — you figured 10 mg equals 15 iu. That makes it obvious why your blood sugar went up.
 
Not for know it all's

A solid baseline for those new to this:

1 mg = 3 IU

1 IU = 0.33 mg

Where to start:

• Under 30 years old:

1.2 – 1.5 IU daily (0.4 – 0.5 mg/day) (patients coming off pediatric treatment may need more)

• 30-60 years old:

0.6 – 0.9 IU daily (0.2 – 0.3 mg/day)

• Over 60 years old:

0.3 -0.6 IU daily (0.1-0.2 mg/day)

Anyone with diabetes, or who tends toward insulin resistance / glucose intolerance, ought to begin at the lowest dose (0.3 -0.6 IU daily) no matter their age.

Subcutaneous shots are typically given at night so they mirror the body's natural overnight GH release.

Raising the dose (titration):

Every 1 to 2 months, bump it up by 0.3 -0.6 IU daily (0.1-0.2 mg/day), guided by how you respond clinically, blood IGF-1 readings, side effects, and personal factors like insulin resistance / glucose intolerance.
 
Sharing that kind of information seems worthwhile to me. My own data matched it exactly, so I'd guess it came from the same place. On here, and even more so on meso, what I've noticed is that most people carry a mistaken picture of what normal levels look like. Based on what they report using, and above all on what bodybuilders are able to use, it becomes very easy to walk away thinking that 4iu a day and above isn't a high dose. For younger people, 2iu or less at least sits nearer to physiological, yet the truth is nobody actually knows the long-term consequences of hgh use, particularly among older users taking it for visceral fat reduction or to hold onto muscle mass, which looks like the most common reason here. The long-term studies simply don't exist, only a handful of short-term ones plus animal work. Declining gh is quite typical as people age, and even more so with obesity, but it matters to keep in mind that no medical recommendations support using it in those situations, since the risks are believed to outweigh the benefits. It wouldn't shock me if wellness clinics and celebrity doctors were using it, but that doesn't make it safe.

Secretagogues may be somewhat safer, since they don't push levels up as far as hgh does, but there's still no evidence of long-term safety. Short-term gains in things like visceral fat, lipids or body composition have turned up in studies of tesamorelin in HIV patients, yet with so many animal studies linking gh deficiency to better life expectancy, you genuinely need long-term safety data to have any real sense of long-term safety, and that probably won't materialize, because Doctors generally view it as a bad safety bet, which makes long-term studies hard to justify.

I'm being a bit of a hypocrite here, since I take 1.5iu/day (igf-1 hasn't been checked yet, though I intend to). My assumption is that 15mg tirz plus 5mg of reta ought to be enough to keep blood glucose from rising, but that will be checked too. My reasoning: given the high overall health risks I carry, and that if I put back some or all of the 54% weight I've lost, my odds of another 10 years of reasonable health drop toward zero (not a common risk profile), the possible small extra risks from hgh are probably smaller than the benefit I get from helping keep weight/fat off. Probably unprovable logic, but it makes sense to me. That logic won't apply to the vast majority of people on this forum, who sit at more normal risk levels, where the risks of hgh or secretagogues, or ghrelin agonists, are very likely greater than the benefits or are simply unknown.
 
lessthanhalf said:

Sharing that kind of information seems worthwhile to me. My own data matched it exactly, so I'd guess it came from the same place. On here, and even more so on meso, what I've noticed is that most people carry a mistaken picture of what normal levels look like. Based on what they report using, and above all on what bodybuilders are able to use, it becomes very easy to walk away thinking that 4iu a day and above isn't a high dose. For younger people, 2iu or less at least sits nearer to physiological, yet the truth is nobody actually knows the long-term consequences of hgh use, particularly among older users taking it for visceral fat reduction or to hold onto muscle mass, which looks like the most common reason here. The long-term studies simply don't exist, only a handful of short-term ones plus animal work. Declining gh is quite typical as people age, and even more so with obesity, but it matters to keep in mind that no medical recommendations support using it in those situations, since the risks are believed to outweigh the benefits. It wouldn't shock me if wellness clinics and celebrity doctors were using it, but that doesn't make it safe.

Secretagogues may be somewhat safer, since they don't push levels up as far as hgh does, but there's still no evidence of long-term safety. Short-term gains in things like visceral fat, lipids or body composition have turned up in studies of tesamorelin in HIV patients, yet with so many animal studies linking gh deficiency to better life expectancy, you genuinely need long-term safety data to have any real sense of long-term safety, and that probably won't materialize, because Doctors generally view it as a bad safety bet, which makes long-term studies hard to justify.

I'm being a bit of a hypocrite here, since I take 1.5iu/day (igf-1 hasn't been checked yet, though I intend to). My assumption is that 15mg tirz plus 5mg of reta ought to be enough to keep blood glucose from rising, but that will be checked too. My reasoning: given the high overall health risks I carry, and that if I put back some or all of the 54% weight I've lost, my odds of another 10 years of reasonable health drop toward zero (not a common risk profile), the possible small extra risks from hgh are probably smaller than the benefit I get from helping keep weight/fat off. Probably unprovable logic, but it makes sense to me. That logic won't apply to the vast majority of people on this forum, who sit at more normal risk levels, where the risks of hgh or secretagogues, or ghrelin agonists, are very likely greater than the benefits or are simply unknown.
I want to stop people from ending up with things like bigger hearts. If you listen to certain individuals here who can't even do iu to mg conversion, then what they tell you is simply unsafe!!
 
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