43 Revealing HGH Statistics & Facts for 2023 and Beyond

The Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is a naturally occurring essential hormone secreted by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. This hormone is the chief regulator of growth in children and adolescents.

HGH levels alternate during the day and decline with age. HGH also helps control fat and sugar metabolism, body fluids, muscle and bone growth, body composition, and heart function. It also plays a crucial role in cell repair and helps the body recover from injuries and diseases.

You can say that we know a lot about this essential hormone!

However, these HGH statistics reveal some fascinating novelty information you’ll hardly find anywhere else.

Dive in to learn some compelling facts about HGH to keep you pumped in 2022 and beyond.

The Top 10 HGH Facts

Growth hormone is synthesized in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland.
The HGH secretion patterns vary through life.
Athletes who misuse HGH consume approximately 10–25 IU per day.
Somatropin is the recombinant form of human growth hormone.
A survey revealed that roughly 11% of high school students use HGH.
Growth hormone replacement therapy may be useful to people with AIDS.
The global human growth hormone market was worth $5.64 billion in 2020.
The hospital pharmacy segment dominated the HGH market in 2020.
Using HGH supplements may increase the chances of cancer.
Laron dwarfism is characterized by growth hormone receptor deficiency.

Basic HGH Info

Have you ever wondered why you’ve grown quite tall during the course of a few years? It’s not out of the blue!

Maybe a little of your nutrition and a little more of your genetics. But we’ve got to give some credit to the driver of human development – the human growth hormone!

The human growth hormone (HGH) is secreted by the pituitary gland. It plays a major role in the growth of the epiphyseal plate, contributing largely to an individual’s height and overall growth. Additionally, the human growth hormone benefits a lot of metabolic functions.

1. Growth hormone is synthesized in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland.

(NCBI)

HGH is produced throughout your whole life by cells called somatotrophs. According to the HGH statistics, this hormone’s production and blood levels may vary throughout the day, increasing at night.

2. The HGH secretion patterns vary through life.

(NCBI)

Human growth hormone secretion increases from infancy through childhood. The secretory rate is stable during early and late childhood.

However, there’s another upsurge in secretion at the onset of puberty. The increased production is influenced by the reproductive hormones—testosterone and estrogen.

3. Increase in hypoglycemia stimulates the growth hormone secretion.

(NCBI)

Growth hormone is said to be “diabetogenic” in action. This means that growth hormone increases blood glucose levels.

Therefore, a decrease in blood glucose level will stimulate the secretion of human growth hormone, while an increase in blood glucose level will decrease the secretion of growth hormone.

4. The secretion of growth hormone by the anterior pituitary is controlled both stimulatory (GHRH) and inhibitory (somatostatin).

(LibreTexts)

Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) stimulates the synthesis of growth hormone by acting on the somatotrophs, stimulating the growth hormone gene to begin transcription. GHRH carries this action through a G-protein coupled receptor pathway.

Somatostatin is secreted by the hypothalamus and, just like GHRH, acts on the somatotrophs of the anterior pituitary gland. However, unlike GHRH, it inhibits the transcription of the growth hormone gene, reducing growth hormone secretion. Somatostatin also acts via a G-protein coupled receptor mechanism.

Reversely, long term HGH use may play a role in the blood levels of GHRH and somatostatin

5. Synthetic HGH was created in 1985.

(WebMD)

The FDA approved the use of synthetic HGH for treating short stature and poor growth in children. In adults, it was approved to treat short bowel syndrome and other medical conditions.

6. HGH is the only drug in the US that doctors cannot prescribe off-label.

(Men’s Health)

The 1990 Anabolic Steroids Control Act regulates the use of human growth hormone. Therefore, this is one of the US’s most restricted legal drugs.

It’s illegal to prescribe, distribute, and possess growth hormone supplements for any health concern. The FDA approved using these substances only for severe growth hormone deficiency, muscle wasting due to HIV/AIDS, and short bowel syndrome.

7. The illegal distribution of synthesized HGH in the US is primarily through online pharmacies.

(Diversion Control Division)

A website accessed by the Federal Trade Commission revealed that the site has generated up to $70 million from HGH online sales. Illegal HGH pills and sprays are also distributed through anti-aging clinics and the black market.

8. Synthetic HGH is only available as an injectable preparation and cannot be consumed orally.

(Diversion Control Division)

All FDA approved synthetic HGH are available in injectable preparations. This is because the HGH molecule is too large to be absorbed through the mouth’s lining and is digested by the stomach before being absorbed into the bloodstream.

9. Growth hormone levels alternate throughout the day.

(Harvard Health Publishing)

The human growth hormone statistics show that HGH levels increase more during the night than the day. Furthermore, the growth hormone levels rise during childhood, peak at puberty, and start declining as one hits middle age.

10. HGH production is higher in women than in men.

(NCBI)

According to a study, women also have a higher basal HGH level than men. However, there’s no difference in the pulse frequency during basal periods for both sexes.

11. HGH concentration is closely associated with exercise duration and intensity.

(NCBI)

The amount of human growth hormone in the blood can increase up to 10 times during prolonged moderate exercise. During short but more rigorous exercise, HGH levels will increase five to 10 times.

On and Off label HGH Use: Statistics

Human growth hormone can be synthetically produced and it is used for a variety of purposes. Growth hormone is taken as a drug to treat growth hormone deficiency. Asides from its use in treating growth hormone deficiency, statistics about HGH supplement use show that it is widely applied for managing other health conditions.

12. Somatropin is the recombinant form of human growth hormone.

(Drug bank)

Somatotropin is a polypeptide hormone that contains 191 amino acids and has a structure identical to the human growth hormone. It’s produced synthetically in a strain of Escherichia coli.

Recombinant human growth hormone has been available since 1985. Somatrem was the first form on the market that gradually got replaced by somatotropin in recent times.

13. Somatotropin is used for treating a variety of genetic disorders associated with short stature.

(Drug bank)

Somatotropin (injectable HGH supplement) use is approved for treating conditions such as Prader-Willi syndrome, Turner syndrome, Noonan syndrome, human growth hormone deficiency, etc.

14. The recommended dosage for adults is 25 µg/kg per day.

(Diversion Control Division)

Injectable HGH preparations can be legally prescribed for adults and children. The FDA-recommended dose for children is 40µg/kg per day.

15. High doses of HGH can be used to treat patients with thermal injuries.

(NCBI)

While HGH may relieve patients with excessive burns, a study revealed that it increased mortality rates among critically ill patients.

16. HGH therapy can help with some of the long-term symptoms of brain injury.

(Technology Networks)

A 20-year study on post-traumatic brain injuries revealed that growth hormone therapy could reduce sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, and fatigue.

17. Growth hormone replacement therapy may be useful to people with AIDS.

(Mayo Clinic)

HGH can be effectively used to help people with AIDS and bowel syndrome. This is because it helps build muscle mass that may have been lost from these diseases. It’s also an effective treatment for children with kidney failure.

HGH Use in Sports

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the use of human growth hormone has become popular amongst athletes, for its effects on muscle mass. It is particularly sought out by runners and weightlifters.

18. Athletes began misusing HGH in the early 1980s.

(NCBI)

HGH misuse among professional athletes started long before it was used to treat adults with GHD deficiency. The earliest publication about its use in sports was in 1982 by Dan Duchaine, in a book titled “Underground Steroid Handbook.”

19. The use of human growth hormone is banned in all professional sports.

(Harvard Health Publishing)

Reports indicate that HGH usage was banned by the International Olympic Committee in 1989. It has also been banned by Major League Baseball, World Anti-Doping Agency, and the National Football League.

20. Athletes who misuse HGH consume approximately 10–25 IU per day.

(NCBI)

Statistics on HGH dosage for bodybuilding reveals that the substance is taken three to four times a week to increase body mass. When combined with other doping agents, the mean dose is about four 4 IU per day.

21. Athletes who use HGH tend to combine it with anabolic steroids.

(NCBI)

To increase muscle mass and decrease body fat, some athletes combine various products. They also mainly use the human growth hormone for bodybuilding purposes. The growth hormone is usually taken in a cycle of four to six weeks.

22. A survey revealed that roughly 11% of high school students use HGH.

(Orlando Health)

A survey of 3,700 high school students revealed that 12% of boys and 9% of girls had taken HGH at least once.

23. HGH does not produce an increase in strength or exercise capacity.

(Harvard Health Publishing)

A review of multiple studies involving 303 athletes revealed that although HGH increased body mass, there were no notable effects of the human growth hormone on sports performance. Instead, the athletes experienced fatigue and fluid retention.

HGH Safety and Misuse

Like any other drug, human growth hormone also has side effects, especially when not used as prescribed by a licensed health professional. However, these side effects are more tolerated in adults than in children. Statistics about HGH consumption in 2020 reveal that children seem to suffer from adverse effects of growth hormone (such as pseudotumor cerebri) more than adults.

24. Roughly 30% of patients who use HGH experience side effects.

(Harvard Health Publishing)

Adults and children who turn to HGH due to growth hormone deficiency often experience side effects. Joint and muscle pain, fluid retention, and high blood sugar levels are among the common side effects.

25. HGH misuse can increase the risk of diabetes.

(World Anti-Doping Agency)

Facts about human growth hormone use revealed that misusing HGH can worsen cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and cardiac deficiency. It can also accelerate osteoarthritis and cause abnormal growth of organs.

26. HGH can dramatically affect a person’s facial features.

(Herald Sun)

The growth hormone can increase the size of the nose, ears, and jaw. An enlarged jaw may lead to braces. HGH can also cause acne.

27. HGH abuse can cause enlargement of breast tissue in men.

(Healthline)

Common human growth hormone side effects include gynecomastia in men, mood changes, and liver damage. It can also lead to an enlarged heart, swelling in the arms and legs, and numb and tingling skin.

28. HGH can cause breast cancer in women.

(NHS)

A study revealed that women with the highest level of the hormone in their blood were 28% more likely to develop breast cancer than women with lower levels.

HGH Market Size

Since the use of recombinant human growth hormone in the 20th century started, pharmaceutical researchers have noted a tremendous increase in its market size. Particularly, there has been an increase in injectable HGH sales.

Though this increase has come with its share of challenges (as evidenced in the increased abuse of HGH), this hormone remains one of the most used recombinant hormones for therapeutic purposes.

29. The global human growth hormone market was worth $5.64 billion in 2020.

(Globe Newswire)

Experts expect this market to register a CAGR of 8.5% between 2020 and 2028, ultimately reaching $10.83 billion.

30. North America dominates the global human growth hormone market.

(Grand View Research)

In 2019, North America had a market share of 48.6%, with the United States accounting for the largest share. However, the human growth hormone market size indicates that the Asia Pacific remains the fastest-growing market segment.

31. The hospital pharmacy segment dominated the HGH market in 2020.

(Globe Newswire)

This segment amounted to 36.2% during 2020. The Increasing awareness of growth hormone deficiency, construction of hospitals with up-to-date equipment, etc., all contributed to this segment’s expansion.

32. Novo Nordisk A/S, Pfizer Inc., and Sandoz International GmbH are the key players in the global HGH market.

(Grand View Research)

Other industry leaders racking up massive sales include Eli Lilly and Company, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Merck KGaA, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Genentech Inc., and Ipsen.

HGH Supplement Statistics and Facts

Though its use has led to debate amongst health professionals and researchers, statistics reveal that human growth hormone supplements are still used by many individuals. Though not fully approved by the FDA, some find HGH supplements beneficial as they claim it has anti-aging properties.

33. There is no evidence that HGH supplements have the same effects as prescribed HGH injections.

(Healthline)

While many HGH supplements claim to elevate HGH levels and offer the same results as prescribed HGH, there’s no scientific evidence supporting these claims. Also, some of these supplements do not contain any HGH.

34. HGH supplements that claim to have anti-aging properties are not approved by the FDA.

(Doctor Oz)

According to HGH supplement facts, the FDA warns that these supplements have not been proven safe or effective. There’s no scientific evidence that shows that these dietary supplements can slow aging.

35. Using HGH supplements may increase the chances of cancer.

(Business Insider)

Individuals with normal levels of HGH who use these supplements are at a higher risk of certain cancers and other health conditions.

The human growth hormone supplement facts reveal that HGH supplementation is associated with colon cancer and Hodgkin’s disease.

36. Many HGH supplements contain amino acids that may cause heartburn and stomach pain.

(Healthline)

These supplements may cause multiple health problems like nausea, diarrhea, bloating, constipation, allergic reactions, low blood pressure, increased asthma symptoms, etc.

Interesting Facts about Hormone Growth Deficiency

Deficiency of any hormone occurs when there is a decrease in the synthesis of that hormone below the normal physiological levels. Growth hormone deficiency occurs due to decreased secretion of growth hormone by the somatotrophs of the anterior pituitary gland. This is mainly due to either a hypothalamic cause or a pituitary cause.

37. Growth hormone deficiency causes dwarfism.

(Hopkins Medicine)

Growth hormone deficiency can be congenital or acquired. It occurs due to brain injury, genetic defects, being born without a pituitary gland, low levels of other hormones (e.g., vasopressin and gonadotropins), etc.

Short stature and delayed puberty are some of the most characteristic symptoms of this type of deficiency.

Luckily, supervised HGH supplement use can effectively treat some cases of GH deficiency.

38. Hormone growth deficiency is very rare.

(Healthy Children)

The human growth hormone facts show that growth hormone deficiency occurs in less than one in every 3,000 children. Also, only one in 10,000 people will have an adult-onset growth hormone deficiency.

39. Laron dwarfism is characterized by growth hormone receptor deficiency.

(GARD, Orpha)

Laron dwarfism patients’ growth hormone receptors are insensitive to the growth hormone. They can’t bind with the growth hormone and use it due to mutations.

Because of this, individuals with this rare condition experience slow growth, reaching the maximum height of 4.5 ft in men and 4 ft in women.

Growth hormone replacement therapy is ineffective, as Laron dwarfism patients already have normal or elevated growth hormone levels. The only currently available treatment is insulin-like growth factor 1 injections that promote growth.

40. In children, growth hormone deficiency is diagnosed when their growth hormone level is below 10 mcg/mL.

(BodyLogicMD)

In adults, a diagnosis is made when the growth hormone levels fall below three mcg/mL.

41. There are four types of isolated growth hormone deficiency.

(Genetics Home Reference)

The pituitary growth hormone deficiency is categorized based on the severity of the condition, gene, and inheritance pattern. It is divided into type IA, type IB, type II, and type III. Type IA is the most severe form of isolated GHD.

42. Growth hormone deficiency type III is the only type of GHD that affects only males.

(NORD)

The HGH statistics show that there are generally more male patients (73%) than females. Also, in cases where the deficiency resulted from organic causes, male patients still dominated (62%).

43. 85% of patients receiving treatment for growth hormone deficiency are white.

(NORD)

The majority of the patients receiving treatment in North America are white. Only 6% are black, and 2% are Asian.

FAQs

How many IU’s of HGH should you take a day?

During HGH replacement therapy, your dosage increases with time. However, the daily FDA recommended dosage of HGH should be between 1.5–2.0 IU/day in adults aged 40–60.

For younger patients, aged 20–40, the daily dose of HGH is between 2.5–3 IU/day. However, it’s advisable to stick with a prescription written by your doctor.

How bad is HGH for you?

While synthetic growth hormone is an effective treatment for people who have a growth hormone deficiency, it comes with some notable side effects. Around 30% of the patients who undergo HGH replacement therapy experience high sugar levels, fluid retention, and joint and muscle pain. These are all common risks of HGH use.

The side effects are worse in healthy individuals who misuse HGH. It increases their risk of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. It may also lead to high blood pressure and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Can you legally get HGH?

In the United States, HGH is a controlled injectable drug that is only legally accessible for people with growth syndrome deficiency and other diseases. It is not legally available for bodybuilding or anti-aging.

Buying, producing, or distributing illicit HGH in the United States is considered a felony and may be punishable by one to five years in jail.

Is HGH good for your body?

HGH is an important hormone that is secreted by the pituitary gland. The human growth hormone is responsible for the growth and development of children and teenagers. It helps to repair cells and boosts recovery from illness and diseases.

HGH boosts metabolism, burns fat, and helps muscle and bone growth, body composition, and heart function.

What does growth hormone do in adults?

The growth hormone functions differently in adults and children. While it may be responsible for growth in children, it only maintains the normal body structure of adults. It controls glucose levels and regulates metabolism.

How does HGH use affect the body?

HGH can be beneficial when used by growth hormone-deficient individuals and people with other medical conditions that require HGH. It can increase muscle mass and burn fat. It can repair cells and speed up recovery from illness and diseases.

For healthy individuals who misuse HGH, the side effects can be life-threatening. HGH misuse causes diabetes, carpal tunnel syndrome, causes increased insulin resistance, and increases cancer risk.

Conclusion

Human growth hormone, HGH is a vital hormone that affects the quality of life of a person. It is responsible for the development of children and teenagers, and it declines with age.

However, the HGH statistics show that this hormone can be deficient in some people, hindering their growth. Synthetic HGH therapy is an efficient treatment for GHD individuals. It’s also useful for people with AIDS and short bowel syndrome. Thanks to the awareness surrounding HGH deficiency, the global human growth hormone market is projected to multiply rapidly.

The growth hormone can become harmful when healthy individuals misuse it for muscle gain and anti-aging treatment. It can cause cancer, diabetes, liver damage, cardiovascular diseases, fluid retention, etc.