Growth hormone is used to treat certain medial disorders. However, one should always remember that it is a hormone which is capable of wide ranging metabolic and biochemical activities. The hormone is safe when prescribed and monitored by a physician. However, side effects can occur when the hormone is taken in high doses and without any monitoring. The most common side effects of excess growth hormone include:

Low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia): Excess levels of growth hormone have the ability to mimic the effects of the hormone, insulin. Insulin is a hormone which controls the levels of blood sugar. When insulin is absent from the body, there high levels of glucose in the body; when there is excess insulin, the body develops low sugar. Growth hormone mimics the actions of insulin and causes profound lowering of blood sugar. This can often lead to mental confusion, drowsiness, lack of concentration and even induce a coma. This side effect is no that rare and many individuals who have taken high levels of human growth hormone have required hospital admission for the low sugar levels.

Excess growth (Acromegaly): When growth hormone is continually taken, the body starts to grow in an uncontrolled fashion. The bones and muscles grow in an uncoordinated fashion often revealing grotesque physiques. The hands, feet and face typically enlarge. The changes are gradual and are most pronounced when growth hormone is taken by children, teenagers and young adults. The disorder is serious and can become life threatening.
Abdominal pouch: In most individuals who take growth hormone, the muscle mass increases. A typical scenario of this effect is a protuberant belly. The defect only occurs when the drug is taken for long periods and in high doses

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Because growth hormone has the ability to increase muscle and tissue mass, it frequently causes compression of the nerves. The most common nerve compression syndrome induced by growth hormone is the carpal tunnel syndrome. The major nerve in the hand (median nerve) which travels down the arm is squeezed between the fibrous bands and the muscles in the hand. This painful condition causes tingling, numbness and weakness of the fingers and the hand.

Joint Pain: In some cases, the growth hormone causes the joints to grow abnormally and joint pain is a common scenario. Most individuals complain of joint and bony pain- especially the larger joints such as the knees, hips and elbows. Once the growth hormone is stopped, the side effects disappear.

The best advice for all users of growth hormone is to follow up with a physician. Monitoring and a regular physical examination can help prevent some of the side effects of growth hormone.