Growth hormone is a small peptide which is manufactured synthetically for use in humans. In the old days, growth hormone was extracted from the brains of animals. Because of the safety issues such as transmitting infections, this practice has long been abandoned. Today, there are many pharmaceutical companies who make artificial growth hormone for human use. Growth hormone is today manufactured with the use of protein secretion technology which produces a chemical which is identical to the real hormone. The synthetic products are just as effective as the original hormone.

There are several brand names but they all function in a similar fashion. All the growth hormone brands are used to treat growth defects in children. Occasionally these medications are used to treat adults with growth retardation. However, in all cases, the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency must be clarified before treatment.

The various brands of growth hormone available include nutropin, hypertropin, genotropin, humatrope, saize, serostim. Zorbtive, norditropin, jintropin, zomacton, somatrem, ansomone, tev tropin and fitropin.

The cost of Growth hormone is variable and varies from $ 5-30 per unit. Most individuals require a single unit per day. This can be self administered in the evening or at any appropriate time. Most physicians recommend a 4-5 consecutive days injection schedule to have the least side effects, be cost benefical and have the most efficient growth response.

The occasional individual may take a slightly higher dose of 1.5-2 units per day. This is not only expensive but also associated with a higher chance of complications. One should not forget that one also to buy fresh sterile syringes and needles and disposable is also an issue. One is not allowed to dispose of sharp needles in the normal garbage. This is considered medical waste and must be appropriately disposed of.

Human growth hormone is available through health care professionals- this is the law. Buying human growth hormone over the internet may be cheap but is illegal and penalties are harsh when the DEA catches up with you. All sales of prescription pharmaceuticals are carefully monitored by the DEA- esp. those done online.

Before starting an injection regimen with growth hormone, it is essential that certain baseline blood work be done in Federally approved laboratories. Levels of IGF-1 are measured which is a reliable indicator of the total Human growth hormone. Injections are only permissible by law when the levels of IGF are low.

After the injections have started, it is essential to be followed and monitored by a physician for any side effects or complications of therapy.