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 lowerjaw 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 inereasing 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 body?s 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 vho 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?s Saizen or Lilly?s 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 sofar 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
scientificresearch 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 insuffieient release
of growt 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 dail 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 sisde 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 athlete?s 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 inereases. 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 openminded. Acromegaly, diabpetes, thyroid
insuficiency, heart muscle hypertrophy, high blood ressure, 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 Europpe 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 exactl 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.
