HGH and Insulin: What You Need to Know
There is often confusion about the connection between HGH and insulin as some people mistake insulin growth factor 1 for insulin. IGF-1 is not the same thing as insulin, nor does it accomplish the same purposes in the body. Insulin is a hormone that promotes glucose uptake by the body’s cells. After you eat, your body converts much of the food into glucose, a form of sugar that provides the body with energy. Glucose circulates in the bloodstream ready to enter the cells. Insulin stimulates cells in the peripheral tissues to pull in that glucose and convert it into the fuel that will power the body.
What do HGH and insulin have in common with one another, or with insulin growth factor 1?
All three hormones affect cellular glucose uptake. However, HGH and insulin are antagonistic to one another. When the level of human growth hormone is high, insulin production will decline. Elevated levels of insulin will cause HGH secretion to decrease. Since human growth hormone signals the liver to produce IGF-1, that hormone will also see a reduction.
Impact of HGH on Insulin Production and Functions
Human growth hormone production occurs at 3 to 5-hour intervals. More than half of the HGH your body will produce occurs while you sleep at night. The rest comes during the day and responds to both exercise and fasting as a stimulus for secretion. When blood sugar levels are low, the pituitary gland releases HGH in pulsatile bursts. Growth hormone receptors can be found throughout the body and brain, including on internal organs. When HGH reaches the liver, it promotes IGF-1 secretion.
One link between HGH and insulin has to do with IGF-1. Insulin growth factor 1 works on many of the same receptors as insulin, but in a different way. IGF-1 helps mediate the functions of growth hormone in the body. Insulin is directly responsible for glucose uptake by the cells to use as fuel.
HGH has a direct impact on metabolic function by stimulating the metabolism of any protein, carbohydrates, and fats that you eat. The more sugar and carbs that enter your body, the greater the glucose conversion. That means your pancreas will have to secrete larger amounts of insulin to ensure the use of the circulating glucose. As insulin levels climb, the hypothalamus will respond by producing growth hormone-inhibiting hormone. GHIH will slow down the secretion of HGH, in turn, reducing metabolic performance. The body begins to store fat rather than converting the food you eat into fuel.
How Low HGH Levels Affect Insulin and Glucose in the Bloodstream
Adults with low growth hormone levels tend to have higher amounts of circulating insulin in their bloodstreams. That can lead to a condition called insulin resistance. What occurs here is that the cells become resistant to the signals of insulin, causing it to remain in elevated levels in the bloodstream. Since the cells no longer respond to the stimulus from insulin, glucose also remains in the bloodstream. The pancreas senses that there is too much glucose in the blood, so it continues to secrete excess insulin. That is how growth hormone deficiency can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
When we look at this connection between HGH and insulin, before and after treatment for growth hormone deficiency, we can see how keeping hormone levels in balance is crucial for a healthy body and life. Too much insulin can lead to elevated levels of blood sugar also associated with an increase in cortisol production. In its role as the “stress hormone,” cortisol inhibits the secretion of not only HGH but also testosterone. Since testosterone also impacts how well the body metabolizes carbohydrates and other foods, you have a double effect on glucose levels.
How to Balance HGH and Insulin Levels
The balancing of hormone levels is something best left to an expert. Some people attempt to do this on their own – blindly trying to manipulate their hormones through a combination of dietary changes, exercise, and sleep. Each of these methods will help to alter hormone production. However, it is essential to know which hormones are out of balance before trying to adjust HGH and insulin levels.
The hormone specialist is a doctor who specializes in the field of hormonal imbalance. He or she will run the necessary diagnostic blood tests to measure a variety of hormone levels. Only with those results can a clear plan of action be put into effect.
Some people may only require changes to their lifestyle or dietary habits. Others will benefit from hormone replacement therapy targeted to their specific needs. In either case, the HRT doctor will provide you with a program designed to optimize your HGH and insulin levels. Since HGH will also benefit IGF-1 production, you experience a bonus for balancing hormone levels.
For more information or to schedule your free telephone consultation (always confidential), please contact our hormone clinic.