WHAT IT IS: HGH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. It seems to be primarily a “repair” hormone for adults but, as its name implies, promotes physical growth in adolescents. There has been much recent interest in HGH as a treatment to slow the aging process. Technology now allows the synthetic manufacture of HGH that is identical to that produced by the pituitary.

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM? : We all have had plenty of HGH until our mid thirties. Then it declines about fifteen percent per decade and this parallels our aging. Following favorable clinical trials in the early nineties, many people have sought replacement treatment and “anti-aging” clinics have come into being. That HGH is a good thing there is little doubt. BUT, it is very expensive and inconvenient to take using the present form of treatment.

WHY IS THAT? : HGH is a very large molecule…a polypeptide (a string of amino acids)…having 191 units. Despite the hype on the net, it currently needs to be taken as an injection, at least five days a week. Once you make up a solution (reconstitute it), the vial only lasts two to four weeks at most. This traditional therapy can cost $15,000 a year or more. Also, since the 23rd of January. 2008, the FDA has banned the use of HGH in the U.S for anti-aging. It is, however, legal here in Costa Rica. Our patients are not in violation of the U.S law when they receive HGH in our clinic. Also, as our approach to the Rx is in the form of long lasting sub-dermal implants, patients do not need to transport illegal HGH back to the U.S (see below).

THE NEW IDEA

Like so many physicians in the Augusta, Georgia, I knew and studied with Robert B. Greenblatt, a world-renowned endocrinologist. He pioneered the use of “pellets” for the replacement of Estrogen and Testosterone. A pellet is a small cylinder of pure hormone that is inserted under the skin of the lower abdomen. It slowly absorbs over months… and is like the direct absorption that occurs when the endocrine gland (ovary or testis) is functioning. With pellets, the hormone goes directly into the blood stream… not through the stomach and GI tract. We for decades have given men and women hormone replacement using the pure form of these hormones and with less dosage than other forms of replacement (including intra-muscular injections). The circulating blood levels are more constant than with injections and without the sharp rise to excessive levels followed by the sharp drop in levels seen with the IM injections. I have used pellets for over thirty years of private practice. SO, a few years ago, I wondered, WHY NOT AN HGH PELLET?

This idea is now being successfully used in our clinic. Patients receive their HGH along with Testosterone or Estrogen replacement every 3-4 months… AND, at a fraction of the current cost.

The results will most probably be published when enough data are obtained.

WHO SHOULD BE INTERESTED? : Men and women over 35 who want to retard the aging process. They should be willing to get some baseline lab tests and follow-up levels. These will be needed to document that the treatment is working and to arrive at the correct treatment dose for each person. The goal will be to create hormone levels similar to those of the person when he/she was younger. Typically the pellets will only be needed every 3-4 mos.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO? : Each prospective patient needs to know their current physical condition…i.e. have had a fairly recent physical exam. Certain lab tests will be needed before Rx is begun. These include Liver Function Tests ( LDH, Alk Phos, SGOT, SGPT…sometimes the lab will have a panel covering these); a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) for men; an IGF 1 level (this is what HGH becomes after it goes through the liver and is easier to measure than HGH since HGH is so quickly changed into IGF 1); and a baseline testosterone level (men) or E2 (estradiol) level (women). These will be reviewed and an individual consult done with each patient before Rx is begun. Every effort will be made to answer all questions so that you can make an informed decision regarding participation.

WHO SOULD NOT DO THIS: If you know that you have an active cancer (tumor) HGH could stimulate it’s growth. Also, if you take Insulin, HGH can antagonize this and alter your blood sugar levels… not an absolute contraindication but a concern.

An informed consent agreement will be obtained prior to Rx.

One last consideration is that the initial doses of HGH will be intentionally small (to try to avoid any harm to you). We ultimately will need to increase these, consulting with you as your follow-up IGF 1 levels are known. You will need to be patient as we determine that the Rx is working in this form and how much to give you. Remember also that, to the best of my knowledge, this hasn’t been done (in Pellet form) before. So, we can’t guarantee results as that’s the purpose of the follow-up lab tests.

I hope this information is helpful and that you will want to be treated by this cutting edge approach.

NOTE: Most of you will also want Testosterone or Estrogen replacement treatment. This is different in that Pellets have, as previously stated, been used for decades with known results. This part of your Rx therefore is not a new technique.

You should remember that with both Testosterone/Estrogen and HGH Rx the goal is to place you back at levels you had when younger…i.e. REPLACEMENT DOSES…not the abusive doses used by some for bodybuilding or other sports.