Understanding Growth Hormone in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Growth hormone (often called human growth hormone or HGH) is a natural hormone made by the pituitary gland in the brain. It plays a key role in:

  • Determining height and overall growth in children and teens
  • Building and maintaining bones and muscles
  • Regulating body fat, blood sugar, and metabolism

In Grand Rapids, MI, evaluation and treatment of growth hormone problems are typically managed by endocrinologists at major health systems such as Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health.

How Growth Hormone Works

Growth hormone is released in pulses throughout the day and night. Levels are influenced by:

  • Physical activity – levels rise during and after exercise
  • Sleep – deep sleep triggers growth hormone release
  • Age – levels are higher in childhood, peak during puberty, and gradually decline from middle age onward

One of growth hormone’s main actions is to signal the liver to produce insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF‑1). IGF‑1, along with growth hormone, helps:

  • Lengthen bones during childhood and adolescence
  • Build cartilage and connective tissue
  • Support normal muscle and organ growth

For children in West Michigan, adequate growth hormone is especially important during growth spurts, which can be impacted by nutrition, chronic illness, and long winters that may reduce physical activity and vitamin D levels.

Growth Hormone in Children

When Growth Hormone Is Important

During childhood and adolescence, growth hormone helps bones reach adult length and supports normal height and development. Some children in the Grand Rapids area may not make enough growth hormone on their own, leading to:

  • Shorter-than-expected height for age
  • Slow or delayed growth compared with peers
  • Delayed puberty in some cases

Medical Conditions That May Need Growth Hormone Treatment

Pediatric endocrinologists in Grand Rapids (for example, at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital) may prescribe synthetic growth hormone injections for children with:

  • Documented growth hormone deficiency
  • Certain genetic conditions such as Turner syndrome
  • Poor growth related to chronic kidney disease
  • Other specific medical conditions where growth hormone is clearly indicated

These treatments are carefully supervised, with regular monitoring of growth charts, blood tests (including IGF‑1 levels), and overall health.

What Growth Hormone Cannot Do

Research shows that a child who already has normal growth hormone levels will not grow taller than their natural genetic potential by taking extra growth hormone, unless they receive extremely high and unsafe doses.

Because of this, reputable providers in Grand Rapids will:

  • Check natural growth hormone levels and other hormones first
  • Rule out nutritional, thyroid, or chronic disease causes of poor growth
  • Prescribe growth hormone only when there is a clear medical need

If your child’s growth seems slow or stunted, your pediatrician can refer you to a pediatric endocrinologist at a local health system for further evaluation.

Growth Hormone in Adults

Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency

Adults can also develop growth hormone deficiency, often due to:

  • Problems with the pituitary gland or hypothalamus
  • Brain tumors or pituitary tumors
  • Past surgery or radiation to the brain

Symptoms of adult growth hormone deficiency may include:

  • Increased body fat, especially around the waist
  • Reduced muscle mass and strength
  • Low bone density or osteoporosis
  • Fatigue and low energy
  • Depressed mood or anxiety
  • Poor memory or difficulty concentrating

Endocrinologists in Grand Rapids can perform specialized blood tests and imaging (such as MRI) to diagnose growth hormone deficiency.

Benefits of Growth Hormone Treatment in Adults

For adults with proven growth hormone deficiency, growth hormone injections may help:

  • Increase bone density and reduce fracture risk
  • Improve muscle mass and physical strength
  • Boost energy levels and capacity for exercise
  • Decrease body fat, particularly abdominal fat
  • Improve quality of life and mood in some patients

These treatments are prescribed and monitored by an endocrinologist, with regular follow-up visits at local clinics or hospital-based endocrine centers.

Side Effects of Synthetic Growth Hormone

About one-third of people who use synthetic growth hormone experience side effects. These can include:

  • Fluid retention, causing swelling in the arms and legs
  • Joint and muscle pain
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome (numbness or tingling in the hands)
  • High blood sugar levels, which can increase diabetes risk
  • High cholesterol levels

Because Michigan has higher rates of diabetes and heart disease than some other states, careful monitoring of blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure is especially important for Grand Rapids residents receiving growth hormone treatment.

Acromegaly, Gigantism, and Growth Hormone

Acromegaly

Acromegaly is a serious condition usually caused by a benign pituitary tumor that makes too much growth hormone in adulthood. It leads to:

  • Irreversible overgrowth of bones, especially in the face, hands, and feet
  • Thick, coarse, and sometimes hairier skin
  • Joint pain and arthritis
  • High blood pressure and heart disease
  • Increased risk of diabetes and sleep apnea

Long-term misuse of synthetic growth hormone can also contribute to acromegaly-like changes, even without a tumor.

Gigantism

If a growth hormone–producing tumor occurs in childhood, before the growth plates (epiphyses) in the bones have fused, it can cause gigantism—abnormally tall stature with rapid growth.

In adults, the growth plates are already fused, so:

  • It is impossible for an adult to grow taller using synthetic growth hormone
  • High doses can only thicken bones, not lengthen them

Any apparent “extra growth” in adults is usually due to bone thickening and connective tissue enlargement, not increased height.

Growth Hormone and Muscle Building

Some athletes and bodybuilders in and around Grand Rapids may obtain growth hormone illegally, believing it will:

  • Increase muscle size
  • Improve strength and performance
  • Speed up recovery after workouts

However, medical research shows:

  • Any increase in muscle size from growth hormone is largely due to more connective tissue, not true muscle fibers
  • This does not significantly increase strength
  • Long-term use can actually cause muscle weakness, including weakening of the heart muscle

Because of these risks, growth hormone is banned by most sports organizations and is considered a form of doping.

Other Substances Often Misused With Growth Hormone

People who abuse growth hormone sometimes combine it with other drugs to change body shape or performance. These may include:

  • Anabolic steroids – synthetic versions of testosterone that build muscle but can damage the liver, heart, and reproductive system
  • Amphetamines – used to aid fat loss; can raise heart rate and blood pressure and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke
  • Beta-blockers – used to counteract trembling from stimulants or steroids
  • Diuretics – used to reduce fluid retention by increasing urination; can disturb electrolytes and strain the kidneys

The combined effects of these drugs are unpredictable and potentially dangerous. Mixing multiple substances is a serious health risk, especially for people with underlying conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease—conditions that are relatively common in Michigan’s adult population.

Past vs. Present: Safety of Growth Hormone Treatment

In the past, growth hormone was extracted from the pituitary glands of deceased people. In some countries, this led to rare cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a fatal brain disease that causes dementia and death.

Today, in the United States (including Grand Rapids):

  • Growth hormone used for medical treatment is synthetic and made in laboratories
  • There is no risk of CJD from modern growth hormone therapy

All FDA-approved growth hormone products used by local health systems are manufactured under strict safety standards.

Seasonal and Local Health Considerations in Grand Rapids

Living in Grand Rapids and the broader West Michigan region brings some unique health factors that may interact with growth and hormone health:

  • Long, cold winters can reduce outdoor activity, which may affect weight, mood, and overall metabolic health
  • Limited sunlight during winter months can contribute to vitamin D deficiency, which is important for bone health in growing children and adults
  • Higher rates of obesity and diabetes in Michigan may increase the risks associated with growth hormone misuse or unmonitored use

Discussing lifestyle, nutrition, and physical activity with your Grand Rapids healthcare provider is an important part of any growth hormone evaluation or treatment plan.

Treatment for Growth Hormone Misuse or Dependence

Some adults become psychologically dependent on synthetic growth hormone because their self-image is tied to looking large and muscular. They may continue using it despite health problems.

If you or someone you know in Grand Rapids is misusing growth hormone:

  • Counseling or therapy can help address body image concerns and substance dependence
  • Primary care providers and endocrinologists can support safe tapering and monitor for complications
  • Alcohol and other drug services can provide confidential support for performance-enhancing drug misuse

Local resources include:

  • Your primary care doctor or family physician
  • Endocrinology clinics at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health
  • Kent County Health Department – for public health resources and referrals
  • Local behavioral health and substance use programs in the Grand Rapids area

When to See a Doctor in Grand Rapids

Consider talking with a healthcare provider if:

  • Your child is much shorter than peers or their growth has slowed significantly
  • You are an adult experiencing unexplained fatigue, increased belly fat, low mood, or muscle loss
  • You have noticed enlargement of your hands, feet, or facial features
  • You are using or considering using growth hormone or steroids without a prescription

Early evaluation by a Grand Rapids primary care doctor or endocrinologist can help identify hormone problems and prevent long-term complications.

Key Points About Growth Hormone

  • Growth hormone is essential for normal growth in children and for regulating fat, muscle, and bone throughout life.
  • Children with proven growth hormone deficiency can benefit from synthetic growth hormone injections, but children with normal levels will not become taller than their genetic potential.
  • Adults with true growth hormone deficiency may improve bone density, muscle mass, energy, and heart health with supervised treatment.
  • Misuse of growth hormone can cause serious side effects, including high blood sugar, high cholesterol, joint pain, and acromegaly.
  • Long-term growth hormone use cannot make adults taller; it can only thicken bones and increase connective tissue.
  • Modern synthetic growth hormone is safe from CJD transmission, unlike older pituitary-derived products.
  • If you live in the Grand Rapids area and have concerns about growth, hormone levels, or growth hormone use, contact your local doctor, an endocrinologist, or area public health and behavioral health services for guidance.