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HOW DO hGH THERAPIES MEASURE UP ?
"I don't want to achieve immortality through my work; I want to achieve
immortality through not dying."
- Woody Allen
CHAPTER 8
We have reviewed the studies on hGH injections and provided the details
of a variety of ways to increase your own GH secretion through diet,
exercise, and the proper natural secretagogues. Now, the ultimate question
in evaluating the differences among these various modes of GH therapy
becomes, "Which GH therapy is right for me?"
Here are some areas of comparison to consider in answering this
question:
| |
SYMBIOTROPIN |
GH INJECTIONS |
|
Dosage Form |
Drink |
Injection |
|
Side Effects |
Rare * |
Several ** |
|
Cost per month |
$120 - $200 |
$800 - $2,000 |
|
Effectiveness |
Within 30 days |
60 days + |
|
Availability |
Readily |
Restricted |
|
Convenience |
Easy to travel with |
Must be refrigerated |
|
Allergies |
Rare |
Somewhat common |
|
Biocompatability |
Natural |
Synthetic |
|
Support of IGF-1 formation |
Yes |
No |
|
Contraindications |
Rare |
A few *** |
*
The only side effect observed with Symbiotropin was a mild allergic
reaction (skin rash) to citric acid.
**
Side effects of GH injections include musculoskelatal pain and edema.
***
Contraindicated in cancer patients and those with existing edema
(swelling) of unknown case.
The top priority in replacing hormones should be to do it as naturally
as possible. With this as a primary objective, growth hormone replacement
is ideal because, unlike other hormones, it continues to be produced in
significant amounts right into old age. So rather than replacing GH, our
primary focus is on stimulating its release. The diet and exercise
recommendations that we have outlined for promoting GH release are just as
important in preventing symptoms of aging as they are in treating them. We
have repeatedly observed patients who are able to maintain youthful IGF-1
levels well into their 70's just by maintaining a consistent adherence to
a GH promoting lifestyle. But this is not the case for everyone.
Many factors affect the ability of the body to release
growth hormone and form IGF-1, including:
Physical and Emotional stress Chronic disease
Liver dysfunction Pancreatic dysfunction Poor diet Genetic
predispostion
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In addition, by the time many people consider themselves to be
candidates for growth hormone therapy, they have reached a point of
depletion that they are not able to tolerate the intensity of a GH
promoting exercise program.
This can often be overcome by kick-starting the body with Symbiotropin or
injections.
Step 1: Measure your IGF-1 levels.
IGF-1 levels are relatively stable, so you do not need to be concerned
about what time of day or month to measure them. Remember, when we talk
about the importance of growth hormone therapy, we are referring to
restoring IGF-1 to youthful levels. Before using any GH therapy, aside
from diet and exercise, a deficiency must be established. A
general consensus exists among scientists and
physicians that any person regardless of age, whose IGF-1 levels are found
to be below 100ng/ml, is considered to be GH deficient. However, the
caveat is that the normal IGF-1 level does not exclude the diagnosis of
growth hormone deficiency. This is
the case for about 80% of people over the age of 40
years old. From clinical
experience, deficiency is often found in younger patients with
hysterectomy, chronic fatigue syndrome, difficulty in weight control,
chronic diseases, and HIV. The existence of any of these conditions
warrants the measurement of IGF-1 levels.
In establishing an IGF-1 deficiency, a first course of action may
include Symbiotropin in combination with diet and exercise therapy. The
standard recommendation. is two tablets/day in five days on and two days
off intervals for three months, then repeat the cycle if necessary. This
protocol may be varied according to test results and symptomatic changes,
as follows:
If IGF-1 Levels Are (in ng/dl):
Below 100: Use double dose of Symbiotropin (morning and night)
until levels reach 200, or until symptoms stabilize.
Then continue with single dose (2 tablets/day) as maintenance.
100-200: Follow standard dosing. If symptomatic improvement is not
progressing as expected, double dose for 1-2
weeks, then maintain at single dose (2 tablets/day).
200-350: Follow standard dosing, be sure to re-check levels after
each 3-month cycle to evaluate the next stage of
your protocol.
350+: Generally, this does not represent a deficiency. It is
recommended to follow dietary and exercise
recommendations to
-maintain these levels. The exceptions are:
-
If your initial IGF-1 levels appear normal, but you are exhibiting
other symptoms of GH deficiency-you may not be responding adequately to
your circulating IGF-1. Follow one half or single dosing of Symbiotropin
for a threemonth cycle. then evaluate symptomatic improvement in order
to determine continuing use.
Step 2: Evaluate your lifestyle.
No matter what your IGF-1 levels are, the lifestyle that you choose
will make all the difference in maintaining and increasing your IGF-1.
Whether you are using injections or Symbiotropin, your diet and exercise
habits will potentiate your response.
-
Are you currently exercising 4 days/week or more?
-
In your current state of health, are you able to begin a GH
promoting exercise program?
-
Does your diet supplement program resemble the one that is suggested
for promotion of GH?
-
Are you willing to make changes in your diet in order to more
effectively promote GH secretion?
If your answer to the second question is no, keep asking yourself this
key question throughout the term of your growth hormone therapy - you may
be surprised at how quickly the answer will become, "Yes!"
Step 3: Evaluate your symptoms.
As scientists, we are familiar with the importance of blood tests in
measuring response, but the most important thing to monitor is symptomatic
improvement. After all, what difference does any therapy make if the
patient doesn't feel better ? The patient self-assessment that is provided
in the following chapter is an essential part of growth hormone therapy.
It is important for you and your physician to monitor the rate of change
in various areas in order to determine an
ongoing treatment protocol.
_______________________________
I am sleeping much better at night. Blood pressure is normal after
being borderline high for several years.
-JH. (Male, Age 65)
_______________________________
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