Human Growth Hormone chosen by parents

[joesteph]

In my high school psychology class, we were discussing the different chemicals that exist in the human body, one of them being human growth hormone, or HGH.

There are males and females who are very short due to genetics. HGH will promote their growing taller. Only a couple of years ago, I learned of parents who wanted HGH for their son, in order to overcome his height-determined genetics.

If a male is determined to be growing at a rate that will have him be less than 5'4", or a female to be less than 4'10", health insurance companies will pay for HGH injections that will cause at least those heights to be reached. The parents knew that their son was predicted to reach or just pass 5'4", so they opted to pay for HGH injections under a doctor's supervision.

He started at about age thirteen, as far as I can recall, and took regular HGH injections (likely from a kit provided by the doctor), submitted to regular examinations, and stopped when he was eighteen. He reached 5'10" at an average cost of $18,000/year.

I asked my students that if they were mothers (I teach in an all-girls academy) and had the money, would they do the same for a future son in the same position--that he would reach the minimum height. The great majority said yes. When I asked them if they would do this for a daughter, it flipped over to the great majority saying no.

What do you think, either about the voting by the students or if you would/wouldn't have your growing child take HGH under a doctor's supervision?

[The BB of C]

I say that tampering with nature stinks.

No thanks.

[tonydee]

That's a tough one: think you'd need to read the medical literature to form a balanced judgement re the health implications, but if the rationale is only that parents think their children will be less attractive / charismatic and have a consequently harder life, then I think that's pretty silly. The parents would be better off stimulating his or her social skills, rather than encouraging their child to think of themselves as having needed help....

Cheers, Tony

[bushido_man96]

Normally, I'd say no, as well. However, there are a lot of times when I do wish I was taller. At $18,000 a year, its a bit too steep for any budget I'll ever have.

[Lord Yasai]

If I was him, I'd rather be short than pay $18,000 per year.

[Tiger1962]

I say that tampering with nature stinks.

No thanks.

I agree - my sentiments exactly.

[mr_obvious]

Strictly from a height perspective, IMHO, probably not worth it. However, bringing GH up to nominal levels during adolescence could ultimately prove advantageous over a lifetime, as nearly every physical characteristic could develop more robustly.

I have a close family member who had similar issues when they were younger (wasn't diagnosed until recently), and now in mid-life is suffering with some serious health problems. She's taking GH's, and doing better; but the lungs, heart, and numerous neurological functions will never be "normal." The Endo doc is of the opinion "if only, sooner..."

....just my $0.02

[joesteph]

Strictly from a height perspective, IMHO, probably not worth it. However, bringing GH up to nominal levels during adolescence could ultimately prove advantageous over a lifetime, as nearly every physical characteristic could develop more robustly.

I have a close family member . . .

An important point to consider. We often think of a hormone as serving a single purpose, but nature has efficiently chosen to use it for several purposes. In the case of Human Growth Hormone, it's not just for height but for internal organs to develop well.

Thanks for the posting.

[sensei8]

I've no idea/advise/help/comment because I'm not a doctor. So, if I say something and I'm wrong, well...I'm not a doctor. Sorry!

[ninjanurse]

My son took HGH for 3 years starting at the age of 14 to stimulate puberty-growing taller was only a "perk" of the treatment although he is only 5'8" now.

It took an act of congress to get approved for a true medical reason...it riles me a bit to see parents getting it to give their kids an advantage in height.