Human growth hormone

What is it?

Athletes take human growth hormone, also called somatotropin, to build more muscle and do better at their sports. But studies don't clearly prove that human growth hormone boosts strength or helps people exercise longer.

A health care provider can prescribe human growth hormone for some health reasons. It is given as a shot.

Risks

Side effects linked to human growth hormone may include:

• Pain in joints, where two or more bones come together.
• Muscles that feel weak.
• A buildup of extra fluid in the body.
• A condition that affects how the body uses sugar for energy. This is called diabetes.
• Trouble seeing.
• A problem that can make the hand and the arm get weak, tingle or lose feeling. This is called carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Trouble controlling blood sugar.
• A heart that grows bigger than usual, called cardiomegaly.
• High blood pressure.