As with no other doping drug, growth hormones are still surrounded
by an aura of mystery. Some call it a wonder drug which causes
gigantic strength and muscle gains in the shortest time. Others
consider it completely useless in improving sports performance and
argue that it only promotes the growth process in children with an
early stunting of growth. Some are of the opinion that growth
hormones in adults cause severe bone deformities in the form of
overgrowth of the lower jaw and extremities. And, generally
speaking, which growth hormones should one take the human form, the
synthetically manufactured version, recombined or genetically
produced form and in which dosage? All this controversy about growth
hormones is so complex that the reader must have some basic
information in order to understand them. The growth hormones is a
polypeptide hormone consisting of 191 amino acids. In humans it is
produced in the hypophysis and released if there are the right
stimuli (e.g. training, sleep, stress, low blood sugar level). It is
now important to understand that the freed HGH (human growth
hormones) itself has no direct effect but only stimulates the liver
to produce and release insulin-like growth factors and somatomedins.
These growth factors are then the ones that cause various effects on
the body. The problem, however, is that the liver is only capable of
producing a limited amount of these substances so that the effect is
limited. If growth hormones are injected they only stimulate the
liver to produce and release these substances and thus, as already
mentioned, have no direct effect.
The use of these STH somatotropic hormone compounds offers the
athlete three performance-enhancing effects. STH (somatotropic
hormone) has a strong anabolic effect and causes an increased
protein synthesis which manifests itself in a muscular hypertrophy
(enlargement of muscle cells) and in a muscular hyperplasia
(increase of muscle cells.) The latter is very interesting since
this increase cannot be obtained by the intake of steroids. This is
probably also the reason why STH is called the strongest anabolic
hormone. The second effect of STH is its pronounced influence on the
burning of fat. It turns more body fat into energy leading to a
drastic reduction in fat or allowing the athlete to increase his
caloric intake. Third, and often overlooked, is the fact that STH
strengthens the connective tissue, tendons, and cartilages which
could be one of the main reasons for the significant increase in
strength experienced by many athletes. Several bodybuilders and
powerlifters report that through the simultaneous intake with
steroids STH protects the athlete from injuries while increasing his
strength. You will say that this sounds just wonderful. What is the
problem, however since there are still some who argue that STH
offers nothing to athletes? There are, by all means, several
athletes who have tried STH and who were sadly disappointed by its
results. However, as with many things in life, there is a logical
explanation or perhaps even more than one:
1. The athlete simply has not taken a sufficient amount of STH
regularly and over a long enough period of time. STH is a very
expensive compound and an effective dosage is unaffordable by most
people.
2. When using STH the body also needs more thyroid hormones,insulin,
corticosteroids, gonadotropins, estrogens and what a surprise
androgens and anabolics. This is also the reason why STH, when taken
alone, is considerably less effective and can only reach its optimum
effect by the additive intake of steroids, thyorid hormones, and
insulin, in particular. But we must point out in this case that STH
has a predominantly anabolic effect. There are three hormones which
are needed at the same time in order to allow for maximum anabolic
effect. These are STH, insulin, and an LT-3 thyroid hormone, such
as, for example, Cytomel. Only then can the liver produce and
release an optimal amount of somatomedin and insulin-like growth
factors. This anabolic effect can be further enhanced by taking a
substance with an anticatabolic effect. These substances
are-everybody should probably know by now-anabolic/androgenic
steroids or Clenbuterol. Then a synergetic effect takes place. Are
you still wondering why pro bodybuilders are so incredibly massive
but, at the same time, totally ripped while you are not. Most
athletes have tried STH during preparation for a competition in that
phase when the diet is calorie-reduced. The body usually reacts by
reducing the release of insulin and of the L-T3 thyroid hormone.
And, as was described under point 2, this is not an advantageous
condition when STH is expected to work well. Well, we almost forgot.
Those who combine Clenbuterol with STH, should know that Clenbuterol
(like Ephedrine) reduces the bodys own release of insulin and L-T3.
True, this seems a little complicated and when reading it for the
first time it might be a little confusing; however it really is
true: STH has a significant influence on several hormones in the
human body; this does not allow for a simple administration
schedule. As said, STH is not cheap and those who intend to use it
should know a little more about it. If you only want to burn fat
with STH you will only have to remember user information for the
part with the L-T3 thyroid hormone as is printed by Kabi Pharmacia
GmbH for their compound Genotropin: "The need of the thyroid hormone
often inereases during treatment with growth hormones."
3. Since most athletes who want to use STH can only obtain it if
prescribed by a physician, the only supply source remains the black
market. And this is certainly another reason why some athletes might
not have been very happy with the effect of the purchased compound.
How could he, if cheap HCG was passed off as expensive STH? Since
both compounds are available as dry substances, all that would be
needed is a new label of Serono Saizen or Lilly Humatrope on the HCG
ampule. It is no longer fun when somebody is paying $200 for 5000
I.U. of HCG, only worth $ 12, and thinking that he just purchased 4
I.U. of STH. And if you think this happens only to novices and to
the ignorant, ask Ben Johnson. "Big Ben," who during three tests
within five days showed an above-limit testosterone level, was not a
victim of his own stupidity but more likely the victim of fraud.
According to statistics by the German Drug Administration, 42% of
the HGH vials confiscated on the North American black market are
fakes. In addition to a display of labels in the Dutch or Russian
language the fakes are distinguished from the original product, in
so far as the dry substance is not present as lyophilic but present
as loose powder. The fakes confiscated so far use the name "Humatrope
16" under the name of Lilly Company (with Dutch denomination) or "Somatogen"
(in Russian)." Nowhere can this much money be made except by faking
STH. Who has ever held original growth hormones in his hand and
known how they should look?
4. In a few very rare cases the body reacts by developing antibodies
to the exogenous STH, thus making it ineffective.
The question of the right dosage, as well as the type and duration
of application, is very difficult to answer. Since there is no
scientific research showing how STH should be taken for performance
improvement, we can only rely on empirical data, that is
experimental values. The respective manufacturers indicate that in
cases of hypophysially stunted growth due to lacking or insufficient
release of growth hormones by the hypophysis, a weekly average dose
of 0.3 I.U/ week per pound of body weight should be taken. An
athlete weighting 200 pounds, therefore, would have to inject 60 I.U.
weekly. The dosage would be divided into three intramuscular
injections of 20 I.U. each. Subcutaneous injections (under the skin)
are another form of intake which, however would have to be injected
daily, usually 8 I.U. per day. Top athletes usually inject 4-16 I.U./day.
Ordinarily, daily subcutaneous injections are preferred. Since STH
has a half life time of less than one hour, it is not surprising
that some athletes divide their daily dose into three or four
subcutaneous injections of 2-4 I.U. each. Application of regular
small dosages seems to bring the most effective results. This also
has its reasons: When STH is injected, serum concentration in the
blood rises quickly, meaning that the effect is almost immediate. As
we know, STH stimulates the liver to produce and release
somatomedins and insulin like growth factors which in turn effect
the desired results in the body. Since the liver can only produce a
limited amount of these substances, we doubt that larger STH
injections will induce the liver to produce instantaneously a larger
quantity of somatomedins and insulin-like growth factors. It seems
more likely that the liver will react more favorably to smaller
dosages.
If the STH solution is injected subcutaneously several consecutive
times at the same point of injection, a loss of fat tissue is
possible. Therefore, the point of injection, or even better, the
entire side of the body should be continuously, changed in order to
avoid a loss of local fat tissue (lipoathrophy) in the injection
cell. One thing has manifested itself over the years: The effect of
STH is dosage-dependent. This means either invest a lot of money and
do it right or do not even begin. Half-hearted attempts are
condemned to failure Minimum effective dosages seem to start at 4
I.U. per day. For comparison: the hypophysis of a healthy; adult,
releases 0.5-1.5 I.U. growth hormones daily. The duration of intake
usually depends on the athletes financial resources. Our experience
is that STH is taken over a prolonged period, from at least six
weeks to several months. It is interesting to note that the effect
of STH does not stop after a few weeks; this usually allows for
continued improvements at a steady dosage. Bodybuilders who have had
positive results with STH have reported that the build-up strength
and, in particular, the newly-gained muscle system were essentially
maintained after discontinuance of the product.
It remains to be clarified what happens with the insulin and LT-3
thyroid hormone. Athletes who take STH in their build-up phase
usually do not need exogenous insulin. It is recommended, in this
case, that the athlete eats a complete meal every three hours,
resulting in 6-7 meals day. This causes the body to continuously
release insulin so that the blood sugar level does not fall too low.
The use of LT-3 thyroid hormones, in this phase, is carried out
reluctantly by athletes. In any case, you must have a physician
check the thyroid hormone level during the intake of STH.
Simultaneous use of anabolic /androgenic steroids and/or Clenbuterol
is usually appropriate. During the preparation for a competition the
use of thyroid hormones steadily increases. Sometimes insulin is
taken together with STH, as well as with steroids and Clenbuterol.
Apart from the high damage potential that exogenous insulin can have
in non-diabetics, incorrect use will simply and plainly make you
FAT! Too much insulin activates certain enzymes which convert
glucose into glycerol and finally into triglyceride. Too little
insulin, especially during a diet, reduces the anabolic effect of
STH. The solution to this dilemma? Visiting a qualified physician
who advises the athlete during this undertaking and who, in the
event of exogenous insulin supply, checks the blood sugar level and
urine periodically. According to what we have heard so far, athletes
usually inject intermediately-effective insulin having a maximum
duration of effect of 24 hours once a day. Human insulin such as
Depot-H-Insulin Hoechst is generally used. Briefly-effective insulin
with a maximum duration of effect of eight hours is rarely used by
athletes. Again a human insulin such as H-Insulin Hoechst is
preferred.
The undesired effect of growth hormones, the so-called side effects,
are also a very interesting and hotly-discussed issue. Above all it
must be said: STH has none of the typical side effects of
anabolic/androgenic steroids including reduced endogenous
testosterone production, acne, hair loss, aggressiveness, elevated
estrogen level, virilization symptoms in women, and increased water
and salt retention. The main side effects that are possible with STH
are an abnormally small concentration of glucose in the blood
(hypoglycemia) and an inadequate thyroid function. In some cases
antibodies against growth hormones are developed but are clinically
irrelevant. What about the horror stories about acromegaly, bone
deformation, heart enlargement, organ conditions, gigantism, and
early death? In order to answer this question a clear
differentiation must be made between humans before and after
puberty. The growth plates in a person continue to grow in length
until puberty. After puberty neither an endogenous hypersection of
growth hormones nor an excessive exogenous supply of STH can cause
additional growth in the length of the bones. Abnormal size
(gigantism) initially goes hand in hand with remarkable body
strength and muscular hardness in the afflicted; later, if left
untreated, it ends in weakness and death. Again, this is only
possible in pre-pubescent humans who also suffer from an inadequate
gonadal function (hypogonadism). Humans who suffer from an
endogenous hypersecrehon after puberty and whose normal growth is
completed can also suffer from acromegaly. Bones become wider but
not longer. There is a progressive growth in the hands and feet and
enlargement of features due to the growth of the lower jaw and
nose.
What the authorities like to do now is to present extreme cases of
athletes suffering from these malfunctions in order to discourage
others and to drum into athletes the fact that with the exogenous
supply of growth hormones they would suffer the same destiny. This,
however, is very unlikely, as reality has proven. Among the numerous
athletes using STH comparatively few are seven feet tall
Neanderthalers with a protruded lower jaw, deformed skull, claw like
hands, thick lips, and prominent bone plates who walk around in size
25 shoes. In order to avoid any misunderstandings, we do not want to
disguise the possible risks of exogenous STH use in adults and
healthy humans, but one should at least try to be open-minded.
Acromegaly, diabpetes, thyroid insufficiency, heart muscle
hypertrophy, high blood pressure, and enlargement of the kidneys are
theoretically possible if STH is used excessively over prolonged
periods of time; however, in reality and particularly when it comes
to the external attributes, these are rarely present. Some athletes
report headaches, nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances during
the first weeks of intake. These symptoms disappear in most cases
even with continued intake. The most common problems with STH occur
when the athlete intends to inject insulin in addition to STH.
The substance somatropin is available as a dried powder and before
injecting it must be mixed with the enclosed solution-containing
ampule. The ready solution must be injected immediately or stored in
the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. It is usually recommended that
the compound be stored in the refrigerator. With the exception of
the remedy Saizen the biological activity of growth hormones is
usually not impaired when storing the dry substance at 15-25 C (room
temperature); however, a cooler place (2-8� C) is preferable. On the
black market the price for 4 I.U. each of the compounds Genotropin,
Humatrope, Norditropin, and Saizen, in Europe is $80-120 for a
prick-through vial including the solution ampule. As already
mentioned, there are many fakes. It is noted that for the
U.S.-American growth hormones compounds, the substance content is
not given in I.U.(International Units) but in mg (milligrams). Since
l mg corresponds to exactly 2.7 I.U. the 5mg solution of the
compound Humatrope by Lilly contains exactly 13.5 I.U. of Somatropin.
The 10 mg solution of the Protropin compound by the Genentech
therefore contains 27 I.U. of Somatropin. In American powerlifting
and bodybuilding circles Humatrope is usually preferred over
Protropin. The reason is that Humatrope is synthesized from a chain
of 191 amino acids and thus is identical to the amino acid sequence
of the human growth hormones. Protropin, on the other hand, consists
of 192 amino acids, one amino acid too many. This might be the
explanation for why more antibodies are developed with Protropin
than with Humatrope. growth hormones are on the doping list but they
are not yet detectable during doping tests.
