What You Need to Know About Human Growth Hormone Levels

Human growth hormone (HGH) levels vary by age and sex.

HGH is released into the bloodstream by the pituitary gland. The primary function of HGH is tissue growth in children. In adults, HGH is responsible for cellular repair and regeneration. HGH also plays a role in many bodily functions and processes, primarily fat metabolism. Therefore, it plays a role in maintaining muscle tone, health, and fitness.

Your HGH levels vary by age. As you might imagine, HGH levels are highest in children.

The normal range for HGH level is typically:

As men age, there is a natural decline in HGH levels. HGH levels can and do fluctuate throughout the day. This is why doctors prefer to talk about normal HGH levels as a range, rather than a fixed ng/mL level.

Furthermore, because HGH levels in the blood vary at any given time, doctors prefer to establish the normal ranges of HGH by age based on IGF-1 levels. IGF-1 is another hormone. It is created by the liver and stimulates HGH production. IGF-1 levels are more constant than HGH levels and give a clear picture of ability to produce and release HGH.

The following chart (provided by LabCorp our testing facility) gives the normal IGF-1 for men by age.

AGE In Years

Male (ng/mL)

31 to 35

88246

36 to 40

83233

41 to 45

75216

46 to 50

67205

51 to 55

61200

56 to 60

54194

61 to 65

49188

66 to 70

47192

71 to 75

41179

76 to 80

37172

81 to 85

34165

86 to 90

32166

>90

Not established

Normal levels of human growth hormone (HGH) levels vary by age and sex.

Low HGH levels may indicate problems with your pituitary gland. Below normal HGH levels by age in men can result in a reduced sense of wellbeing, increased fat, increased risk of heart disease, and weakening muscles and bones.

While it is rarer than low HGH levels, some people do suffer from HGH levels that are too high. If your HGH levels are higher than normal, it can result in a rare condition known as acromegaly, in which patients have swelling of the hands and feet and altered facial features. Extremely high levels of HGH in children can cause gigantism, or growth to unusually tall stature. In almost all cases of acromegaly or gigantism, the above normal HGH levels are the result of a pituitary tumor.

HGH levels in women also vary by age just as they do in men. Again, we use IGF-1 levels to establish normal HGH levels in women by age. The following chart shows the normal IGF-1 levels in women by age.

AGE In Years

Female (ng/mL)

31 to 35

73243

36 to 40

69227

41 to 45

62204

46 to 50

57195

51 to 55

53190

56 to 60

46172

61 to 65

42169

66 to 70

38163

71 to 75

37165

76 to 80

35165

81 to 85

34172

86 to 90

34178

>90

Not established

HGH levels fluctuate throughout the day, so normal levels of HGH are expressed in a range, rather than a fixed level.

In women, HGH levels drop to their lowest after menopause. However, sometimes women who are still in their childbearing years, might require growth hormone therapy. What impact does growth hormone have on pregnancy? There have been some studies that indicate for women who are having trouble getting pregnant, growth hormone therapy may increase fertility. Once a woman becomes pregnant, her body automatically produces excessive HGH and IGF-1 for the developing fetus. Supplemental HGH is not recommended for pregnant women.

HGH levels decrease if you have a disease, injury, or genetic condition that impacts your pituitary glands ability to make HGH. HGH levels also decline naturally as men and women age. This natural drop in HGH as you grow older can result in age-related GHD.

Since your growth hormone levels can and do change throughout the day, instead of a test that measures the HGH level in your blood at any given time, we test for the level of IGF-1.

During the test a blood sample will be drawn from a vein in your arm. Since HGH levels fluctuate throughout the day, we do not test for HGH, but rather IGF-1. IGF-1 mirrors HGH excesses and deficiencies, but the level in the blood is stable throughout the day, making it a more useful indicator of average HGH levels than testing for HGH.

Before performing specific HGH testing, if the IGF-1 level is found to be normal for age and sex, growth hormone deficiency (GHD) can be ruled out, and more definitive testing is not necessary.

There could be some ways to naturally increase your HGH levels. Exercise, particularly strength training, or high intensity interval training can raise HGH levels. Here are some other ways that both men and women can naturally raise their HGH levels.

The above lifestyle changes could help keep your HGH level close to normal for your age and gender. However, if the results of your HGH or IGF-1 test indicate you have a growth hormone deficiency, or GHD, the only way that it can be treated is with hormone replacement therapy.

If your growth hormone level is determined to be below normal, depending on your age, gender and symptoms you will likely be prescribed growth hormone injections. Growth hormone injections are used to treat GHD in children and adults.

Growth hormone injections are only available with a doctors prescription. There are many anti-aging benefits of HGH replacement therapy. One of the main benefits of growth hormone replacement, is that it will improve your ability to burn fat and build lean muscle. This benefit alone will go a long way to making you look and feel younger.

However, the many benefits of HGH do not stop there. HGH therapy:

HGH therapy is a safe and effective way to treat lower than normal HGH levels.

Now that you know a bit more about normal and low HGH levels, why not contact us today, and find out more about the many life-changing benefits of HGH and other hormone replacement therapies.

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What You Need to Know About Human Growth Hormone Levels