Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is widely used illicitly by bodybuilders and aging adults. Unfortunately, there is growing evidence that long-term use of HGH can increase the risk of life-threatening side effects like cancer, heart failure, and death.
Need a Texas HGH Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was injured by Human Growth Hormone (HGH), you should contact our lawyers immediately.
UPDATE: HGH in Children May Increase Stroke Risk Decades Later
August 15, 2014 — Children who are treated with Human Growth Hormone (HGH) are more likely to experience strokes nearly 20 years later, according to a study published in Neurology. Click here to read more.
July 23, 2014 — The use of hGH reported by teenagers has doubled between 2012 and 2013, according to a survey by the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. The group found that 11% of the 3,705 teenagers in grades 9-12 reported “ever having used” synthetic hGH without a prescription — a dramatic increase from 5% reported in 2012. Click here to read more.
What is Human Growth Hormone?
Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is produced naturally by the pituitary gland in the brain. During early childhood, HGH plays an important role in growth and development. In adulthood, HGH helps regulate metabolism and healthy body composition.
The popularity of HGH therapy has grown dramatically since 1985, when the FDA approved the first-ever injection HGH medication, Protropin. Since then, numerous prescription HGH products have been approved, including:
- Genotropin
- Humatrope
- Norditropin
- Nutropin, Nutropin AQ
- Omnitrope
- Saizen
- Tev-Tropin
What is the problem?
HGH is only FDA-approved to treat a few serious conditions, such as growth hormone deficiency, which is estimated to affect 10,000-15,000 children in the United States. HGH is also approved for adult short-bowel syndrome, muscle wasting disease due to HIV/AIDS, growth hormone deficiency due to tumors, and more.
HGH is not FDA-approved for bodybuilding, anti-aging, or athletic enhancement, but thousands of people use it for these purposes. Increasing numbers of healthy older adults are using HGH as a “fountain of youth,” despite evidence that it may have just the opposite effect. Even so, global sales generated $3.5 billion in 2011 and are estimated to be $4.7 billion by 2018.
HGH and Anti-Aging Treatments
Levels of HGH naturally taper off as we age. This is not necessarily a bad thing — the body may have good reasons for doing so. HGH stimulates the liver and other organs to produce insulin-growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which has been linked to cancer and shorter lifespans in animal studies.
In addition, dozens of “HGH boosting” dietary supplements that claim to “turn back the clock” on aging. Unlike prescription HGH injections, supplements are not subjected to the same rigorous safety testing or manufacturing quality standards. Federal law prohibits supplements from containing actual HGH.
FDA Safety Warnings for HGH
In December 2010, The FDA published a Safety Communication after a study found that children with growth hormone deficiency who were treated with HGH were 30% more likely to die than individuals in the general population of France. In 2011, the FDA updated the communication after finding that evidence was inconclusive.
HGH and Cancer Risk Information
The link between HGH and cancer has been debated for decades and remains inconclusive. HGH is known to stimulate cell growth and reproduction, including malignant cells, which might increase the risk of tumors or cancer recurrence. The Prescribing Information warns patients who have growth deficiencies due to brain tumors (meningiomas).
A study published in 2004 by Drug Safety linked HGH with colorectal cancer and second neoplasms in cancer survivors. A study published in 2005 by Endocrine Journal linked HGH and a case of Hodgkin lymphoma.
HGH and Colon Cancer
One of the first studies to link HGH and colon cancer was published in 2002 by The Lancet. Although it was a small study involving about 1,800 people in the U.K., researcher found a significant overall mortality rate from cancer and an 8-fold increased incidence of colon cancer. In 2008, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology was linked to one case of colon cancer in a man using HGH for anti-aging purposes.
HGH Side Effects
If you or your loved one was injured by a severe side effect of Human Growth Hormone (HGH), you may be interested in joining a class action or filing an individual lawsuit. Our attorneys are investigating possible legal claims involving side effects, such as:
- High blood-pressure
- Nerve, muscle, or joint pain
- Soft tissue swelling due to fluid in the body’s tissues (edema)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (cartilage growth)
- Numbness and tingling of the skin
- High cholesterol levels
- Elevated blood-sugar levels
- Type-2 diabetes
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Enlargement of heart, liver, and bones
- Sleep apnea
- Pancreatitis (pancreatic inflammation)
- Colon polyps or colon cancer
- Hypothyroidism
- Click here to learn more
Need a Human Growth Hormone (HGH) Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our Texas HGH lawyers for a free lawsuit review.
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