Human Growth Hormone (HGH): Does it help with quality of life?

Posted by mpflood7 @mpflood7, Sep 28, 2020

I was diagnosed with panhypopituitarism and my endocrinologist wants to put me on human growth hormone (HGH). My main symptom is minimal and inconsistant stamina - which keeps me from functioning and holding a job. From what I read, HGH helps with “quality of life”. (I do not need it for growth.) Does anyone know what that specifically means and how HGH helps more generally?

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John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Sep 28, 2020

Hello @mpflood7, You will notice that I updated the title of your discussion to better describe your question and hopefully bring other members into the discussion. Mayo Clinic has some information here that you might find helpful until others can share any information or experience they have for HGH.

Human growth hormone (HGH): Does it slow aging?: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/growth-hormone/art-20045735

Are you able to share the cause of your panhypopituitarism diagnosis?

mpflood7 | @mpflood7 | Sep 28, 2020

In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @mpflood7, You will notice that I updated the title of your discussion to better describe..." + (show)

Thank you John. Hereditary Hemochromatosis caused the Panhypopituitarism.

Re: HGH - would like to know not only whether HGH helps Quality of Life but specifically, what does “Quality of Life” actually mean? I also see in the article it is supposed to help “increase exercise capacity” but what else? And how prevalent are the (scary) potential risks of HGH? Any statistics?

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Sep 30, 2020

In reply to @mpflood7 "Thank you John. Hereditary Hemochromatosis caused the Panhypopituitarism. Re: HGH - would like to know not..." + (show)

Hi @mpflood7 - I wish I had an answer for you but I don't I did a search of Connect and found a member from 2018 with the same symptoms/condition you have but there was only one reply - Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HH) and Celiac Disease (CD): https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hereditary-hemochromatosis-hh-and-celiac-disease-cd/

I did find a Sharing Mayo Clinic story that you may find helpful - Busy Father Finds Way Forward Despite Hemochromatosis: https://sharing.mayoclinic.org/2016/12/16/care-at-mayo-clinic-gives-a-busy-father-a-way-to-move-forward-despite-hemochromatosis/

Have you thought about getting a second opinion?

mpflood7 | @mpflood7 | Sep 30, 2020

In reply to @johnbishop "Hi @mpflood7 - I wish I had an answer for you but I don't I did..." + (show)

Thank you very much John. The second article mentions a Gastroenterology/Hepatology doctor at Mayo Clinic Florida with expertise in my Hemochromatosis condition. I just contacted him to get his advice on my condition. Oddly, though I live in Florida, the Mayo Clinic in Florida doesn't accept my health insurance - but Mayo Clinic Minnesota does. So I am asking the FL Gastro for a referral to a doctor at Mayo MN. Nothing like knowledge and expertise, and especially when it comes to life-threatening matters. You are doing God's work., Thank you profoundly.