Is HGH right for me?

[seriouspickles]

Hey guys. I just wanted to get some advice here on whether or not I should start HGH given my circumstances.

My stats:
50 yr old male
TRT for 6 months (100mg/week, testosterone around 1100ng/dl)
Ha1c 5.4%
Fasted glucose 92 mg/dl
Fasted insulin 1.6 uiu/ml
Igf1 232 ng/ml (never used HGH in any form)
All other health markers and blood pressure normal.
180lbs @ 15%bf

What I'm trying to get from HGH:
*Sleep - My sleep sucks. According to my apple watch, my average sleep is 6 hours per night but I wake up 2-3 times per night to pee (PSA 1.3). Another hour or 2 would really help as I am dragging ass throughout the day.
*Fat loss - My body fat is already going down through training, diet, and Glp (Tirz 5mg/week) but any help would be awesome.
*Recovery - At 50, I'm getting worn down so a little boost would help as I have 2 young children to keep up with.
*Muscle gain, hair, nails, etc - All would be great but not having them wouldn't be a deal breaker.

My concerns:
*With a normal-ish Igf for my age, I'm worried that starting and stopping HGH will lower my natural levels.
*I'm pretty much at the top end of glucose and Ha1c and am worried that HGH will push me into pre-diabetic range.
*I'm not really interested in going above 4 IU's of HGH. With this, I'm not sure that there will be enough of a change in my Igf1 to justify the expense and hassle of HGH.
*Reading about other's experiences, it seems like higher doses lead to more fatigue through the day. I already have this issue so I'm not sure if I can add to it and function on a daily basis.

I'm about 75% sure that HGH isn't for me but you know how it is when you keep reading thread after thread about how great the new shiny thing is. Can anybody give me some advice on what they would do in my situation?

Thanks a bunch for any and all help you guys can give.

 

[mexbeast]

For sleep i would go with, melatonin, L-triptofan, or 5htp
Yes if you are on a fat loss diet GH would help.
Recovery would also improve.
Again if you are on a fat loss diet, GH should not increase your glucose markers.
I doubt it would help with muscle gain.
Yes for me even 2ius is worth every penny!

 

[seriouspickles]

For sleep i would go with, melatonin, L-triptofan, or 5htp
Yes if you are on a fat loss diet GH would help.
Recovery would also improve.
Again if you are on a fat loss diet, GH should not increase your glucose markers.
I doubt it would help with muscle gain.
Yes for me even 2ius is worth every penny!

Thanks so much for the feedback mexbeast!

 

[PST_Dyno]

I think you will be just fine at 4iu. I would recommend as previosuly stated that you work towards getting leaner so minimize the likelihood of unwanted sides such as edema, numbness, and negative effects on insulin sensitivity. 15% is a bit high combined with being on the high end for A1C and I find when I'm higher bf I get sides more drastically and quickly on GH than any other cycle compound. I run a bit more than you're planning to and get great great benefits but also have to taper down every so often to mitigate those sides especially when I'm not very lean.

You may want to start at 2iu and taper up to 4 over a few weeks or a month.

Your concern about natural GH/IGF levels is not something to worry about. GH production returns very quickly, it's not the same as affecting the HPTA axis with AAS. You could even still be producing your own GH naturally at night if you pin in the morning or early afternoon. Not sure on the exact timing for natural production to resume but it's quick.

Run it long term as long as your insulin sensitivity is good. At 44 yrs old, One of the biggest benefits to me beyond muscle building is the effect I perceive on my joints from collagen synthesis but I think it takes long term use and several months at least to really begin reaping those benefits.

 

[buck]

For your posted goals then HGH may work for you. Although most of your markers are in a god place for long term health
Most of the studies i have seen point towards organisms that have higher IGF-1 levels tend to have shorter life spans in their species. Seems that may apply to humans as well be no real conclusive data that i have seen. all comes down to ones own comfort zone.

 

[seriouspickles]

I think you will be just fine at 4iu. I would recommend as previosuly stated that you work towards getting leaner so minimize the likelihood of unwanted sides such as edema, numbness, and negative effects on insulin sensitivity. 15% is a bit high combined with being on the high end for A1C and I find when I'm higher bf I get sides more drastically and quickly on GH than any other cycle compound. I run a bit more than you're planning to and get great great benefits but also have to taper down every so often to mitigate those sides especially when I'm not very lean.

You may want to start at 2iu and taper up to 4 over a few weeks or a month.

Your concern about natural GH/IGF levels is not something to worry about. GH production returns very quickly, it's not the same as affecting the HPTA axis with AAS. You could even still be producing your own GH naturally at night if you pin in the morning or early afternoon. Not sure on the exact timing for natural production to resume but it's quick.

Run it long term as long as your insulin sensitivity is good. At 44 yrs old, One of the biggest benefits to me beyond muscle building is the effect I perceive on my joints from collagen synthesis but I think it takes long term use and several months at least to really begin reaping those benefits.

Thank you so much PST_Dyno. I didn't know that being leaner will help alleviate the sides. I guess it makes sense since it seems like being as lean as possible helps in everything we do. You gave me a lot to think about.

 

[seriouspickles]

For your posted goals then HGH may work for you. Although most of your markers are in a god place for long term health
Most of the studies i have seen point towards organisms that have higher IGF-1 levels tend to have shorter life spans in their species. Seems that may apply to humans as well be no real conclusive data that i have seen. all comes down to ones own comfort zone.

Thank you buck for your thoughts. The idea that high IGF-1 levels may shorten life span definitely was something on my mind. I guess I seem to default to the idea that nothing we do is really conducive to long life and after seeing more than my share of 80+ year olds that need constant care to stay alive, I'm pretty sure that I don't want to stick around for that.

 

[buck]

Thank you buck for your thoughts. The idea that high IGF-1 levels may shorten life span definitely was something on my mind. I guess I seem to default to the idea that nothing we do is really conducive to long life and after seeing more than my share of 80+ year olds that need constant care to stay alive, I'm pretty sure that I don't want to stick around for that.

As i have written other times i started on HGH for recovery from a couple surgeries i had when i was 52. Then continued using about 2 i.u. for the next 12 years. Stopped early last year as my glucose levels wee getting at the top of the normal fasting range. Glucose levels are down now and not much other changes. My IGF-1 levels are right about mid range. So i am not sure if GH did much for my quality of life when i was using it. May go back on in the future if my levels drop low but i may not.

 

[seriouspickles]

I would most definitely add HGH but at a low dose maybe 2-3iu a day

Thanks for the feedback DuroZone!

 

[seriouspickles]

As i have written other times i started on HGH for recovery from a couple surgeries i had when i was 52. Then continued using about 2 i.u. for the next 12 years. Stopped early last year as my glucose levels wee getting at the top of the normal fasting range. Glucose levels are down now and not much other changes. My IGF-1 levels are right about mid range. So i am not sure if GH did much for my quality of life when i was using it. May go back on in the future if my levels drop low but i may not.

Thanks again buck for your insight.

Quick question, when I think of quality of life I think of the aesthetic benefits on top of joints feeling better, enhanced recovery, better sleep and overall improvements that gh is supposed to bring. Did you notice any of those things improving over the 12 years of use or maybe the decline of those things after stopping? I know that I would never be able to keep up with daily shots for 12 years unless there were some obvious benefits involved.

Also, this is probably a dumb question but any noticeable hand/foot/head/facial feature growth? I can probably deal with hand and foot growth but I kinda like the face that I have.

Thanks again!

 

[buck]

Thanks again buck for your insight.

Quick question, when I think of quality of life I think of the aesthetic benefits on top of joints feeling better, enhanced recovery, better sleep and overall improvements that gh is supposed to bring. Did you notice any of those things improving over the 12 years of use or maybe the decline of those things after stopping? I know that I would never be able to keep up with daily shots for 12 years unless there were some obvious benefits involved.

Also, this is probably a dumb question but any noticeable hand/foot/head/facial feature growth? I can probably deal with hand and foot growth but I kinda like the face that I have.

Thanks again!

I never had sleep problems before i started HGH, it may have helped a little but nothing great. Never helped with body fat, i find diet controls that the most. As i kept using my joints they just slowly went down hill while on GH maybe they went down hill slower but there is no way for me to tell as i continued using them as hard as i could. since i stopped GH joints, sleep, bodyfat, skin are all the same.

 

[seriouspickles]

I never had sleep problems before i started HGH, it may have helped a little but nothing great. Never helped with body fat, i find diet controls that the most. As i kept using my joints they just slowly went down hill while on GH maybe they went down hill slower but there is no way for me to tell as i continued using them as hard as i could. since i stopped GH joints, sleep, bodyfat, skin are all the same.

Sounds like you didn't get too much from it. I can't believe you kept that up for 12 years.

Thanks again for sharing your experience.

 

[buck]

Sounds like you didn't get too much from it. I can't believe you kept that up for 12 years.

Thanks again for sharing your experience.

I don't expect to roll back time, never have. I was just hoping to slow it down. Came off see about lowering glucose. Which i did. The healthier and the better a person treats themselves and eats the less benefit i think a miracle supplement will deliver.

 

[buzzbomb138]

HGH is never wrong for anyone, ever

 

[Alpha246]

Give it a shot and see if you like it

 

[Plusmetic]

Hey guys. I just wanted to get some advice here on whether or not I should start HGH given my circumstances.

My stats:
50 yr old male
TRT for 6 months (100mg/week, testosterone around 1100ng/dl)
Ha1c 5.4%
Fasted glucose 92 mg/dl
Fasted insulin 1.6 uiu/ml
Igf1 232 ng/ml (never used HGH in any form)
All other health markers and blood pressure normal.
180lbs @ 15%bf

What I'm trying to get from HGH:
*Sleep - My sleep sucks. According to my apple watch, my average sleep is 6 hours per night but I wake up 2-3 times per night to pee (PSA 1.3). Another hour or 2 would really help as I am dragging ass throughout the day.
*Fat loss - My body fat is already going down through training, diet, and Glp (Tirz 5mg/week) but any help would be awesome.
*Recovery - At 50, I'm getting worn down so a little boost would help as I have 2 young children to keep up with.
*Muscle gain, hair, nails, etc - All would be great but not having them wouldn't be a deal breaker.

My concerns:
*With a normal-ish Igf for my age, I'm worried that starting and stopping HGH will lower my natural levels.
*I'm pretty much at the top end of glucose and Ha1c and am worried that HGH will push me into pre-diabetic range.
*I'm not really interested in going above 4 IU's of HGH. With this, I'm not sure that there will be enough of a change in my Igf1 to justify the expense and hassle of HGH.
*Reading about other's experiences, it seems like higher doses lead to more fatigue through the day. I already have this issue so I'm not sure if I can add to it and function on a daily basis.

I'm about 75% sure that HGH isn't for me but you know how it is when you keep reading thread after thread about how great the new shiny thing is. Can anybody give me some advice on what they would do in my situation?

Thanks a bunch for any and all help you guys can give.

Hey brother, your stats are solid and your goals are realistic.





If your main goals are sleep, recovery, and fat loss, then a low-dose HGH protocol (1.5–2 IU/day, 5 days/week) could help over time — especially in synergy with your TRT and Tirzepatide.





Your glucose and Ha1c are right at the edge, so splitting the dose AM/PM or taking it post-cardio might minimize any glycemic impact.





Also, with IGF-1 at 232, you’re in a decent spot, but 3 months of low-dose GH could still push it closer to 300. Might be worth a trial if budget allows. Just don’t expect miracles — it’s more of a “refiner” than a game-changer.





Happy to discuss more if you want to compare product options or protocols others found effective.

 

[seriouspickles]

Thanks to all of you guys for your input. I have 2 kits of grey tops in the fridge waiting for me tonight. I'm going to start at 1iu since I'm also stopped my tirz a few weeks ago so I want to take it slow. I'm going to inject before sleep and monitor. Hopefully I can titrate up 1 iu every couple of weeks. I'm also starting up reta in a few weeks so that should help counter some of gh's effects. I didn't want to start at the same time so I could isolate any random side effects.

Thanks again for the help guys.

 

[Plusmetic]

Sounds like you’re taking a smart and measured approach. Starting low and titrating up is often the best way to minimize side effects while gauging benefits. Pairing GH with retatrutide can definitely enhance fat loss and metabolic effects — just make sure to monitor blood glucose levels regularly, especially with your previous concerns.





Wishing you great results — keep us posted on your experience!

 

[Ateam2024]

wish I could afford HGH. any alternatives worth using?

hgh is actually not that expensive if you buy ugl hgh, of course pharma grade is still pricey,,

 

[seriouspickles]

Just as a quick update, I started 2IU/day before bed in the beginning of April and even though I was expecting a slow burn, I was really surprised by the changes in my physique. Waking up vascular and semi pumped is addictive and the fat loss has been really noticeable as it's taken the last few pounds that had been covering my abs. The difference must be tangible as I am getting more comments about my physique than ever before.

On the down side, my sleep hasn't improved at all but at least I'm not tired throughout the day which was a real concern.

I'm hoping to take a blood test in the next week to verify IGF levels but I don't think it would matter even if it came back lower. I will probably run out of gh by the end of July so I'm going to take a month off and see what changes. If I notice a decline in my physique I will probably buy more gh and just stay on.