Bulky biceps, chiseled abs – these are signs you expect to see when someone uses steroids. It is not what you will find from human growth hormone therapy. Is HGH a steroid in the same class as testosterone and other androgen hormones? No, although some people might mistake it as one, HGH is not a steroid.
Why do some people believe that HGH is a steroid?
Part of the reason is that growth hormone deficiency often causes loss of lean muscle, decreased bone density, and weight gain. When you restore balance to GH levels with HGH injections, you find that excess belly fat disappears, leaving behind a better-toned body. Improved lean muscle mass and tone are what you expect from steroids. Since HGH provides similar benefits, it would seem to make sense that it would fall into the same category.
In this report, we will not only put to rest the question, is HGH a steroid hormone, but also clarify the difference between human growth hormone and steroids. Because there are also some similarities between the two hormone classifications, we will discuss those, as well.
Although it may seem that HGH does some similar actions to steroids, HGH is not a steroid hormone.
What Is Human Growth Hormone?
Human growth hormone – many people think of it as the medication that helps children grow. Although that is one purpose of HGH, it does have other uses. Growth hormone or somatotropin is an essential chemical messenger that all people need – no matter their age. Is the growth hormone a steroid since it enables growth the way androgen hormones do? No, there are significant differences between steroids (androgen hormones) and HGH.
In answer to the question, is HGH a steroid, we start by pointing out that HGH consists of 191 amino acids in a single chain polypeptide protein. Amino acids are not steroids. Although it is made up of amino acids, HGH is a peptide hormone. Peptides make up the largest classification of hormones and include insulin, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and the hormones LH and FSH that send signals to the ovaries and testes to produce their steroid hormones.
Human growth hormone is the controlling force behind the process of cellular regeneration. Without HGH, your body could not replicate and reproduce the many cells that die each day. Although no longer physically growing in height, the body remains in a state of constant growth as long as you are alive. New cells form and grow each day. These cells take on many functions, including:
- Muscle growth
- Bone mineral density
- Skin layers
- Hair growth
- Internal organ structure and support
This is only a partial reason why your body needs a plentiful supply of new cells each day. It is because of the effects of HGH on muscle growth that some people view it in the same category as steroids.
Is HGH a good steroid alternative since it helps fuel better muscle mass?
While HGH cannot take the place of steroids for the actions they produce, it can help people who are growth hormone deficient improve their body composition.
HGH is an amino acid, polypeptide protein hormone.
What Are Steroids?
There are four different classifications of hormones: peptides, amino acids, steroids, and eicosanoids. The steroid hormones come primarily from the testes, ovaries, and adrenal glands. Steroids are anabolic in nature as they promote the growth of skeletal muscle. Is HGH an anabolic steroid since it promotes muscle growth? No, the proteins and amino acids in HGH may help it function with anabolic properties, yet it is not a steroid.
Steroids can be either anabolic or corticosteroids, and there is a considerable difference between them. Anabolic steroids are the ones we see abused by many athletes, bodybuilders, and people who want to improve their physical ability and strength. The term for this is “doping” in the professional sports world – and it is illegal.
Anabolic steroids do have their place as they promote protein synthesis in muscle. Testosterone is the most prescribed anabolic steroid medication, as is beneficial for people with low testosterone levels. Teenage boys who are behind in development and older men suffering from Low T symptoms can benefit from testosterone use. Some menopausal women may also receive testosterone as a safe form of hormone replacement therapy.
Corticosteroids consist of cortisol and other stress hormones. As medications, cortisone helps reduce inflammation and swelling in the body.
When is HGH a steroid substitute?
HGH may be used in place of testosterone when the body is deficient in both these hormones. Many times, supplementing with HGH therapy can help increase testosterone levels.
*Steroids fall into two categories: anabolic such as testosterone and corticosteroids such as cortisol.
What Is the Difference Between HGH and Steroids?
In this section that looks at the answers to, is HGH a steroid, we focus on the differences between human growth hormone and steroids such as testosterone.
HGH – Steroid Differences:
- Unlike steroid hormones such as testosterone which can be addictive for men who abuse it, HGH is not addictive.
- The body absorbs bioidentical HGH better than steroids.
- Steroids will improve muscle tone for everyone – HGH also improves muscle mass for people who are deficient in the hormone.
- When testosterone is used (illegally) to improve physical abilities, it can increase strength, endurance, speed, and performance – HGH has not demonstrated those benefits in research.
- HGH has benefits for the body that steroids do not have, including strengthening immunity, speeding healing, and stimulating cellular regeneration.
- Steroid hormones are derived from cholesterol, HGH consists of 191 amino acids.
- HGH is water-soluble, steroid hormones are fat-soluble.
- Steroid hormones such as estrogen are used for birth control – HGH cannot do that.
- Human growth hormone is a biologically identical medication that the body readily accepts. Steroids are synthetic chemicals that may or may not be identical to the naturally occurring hormones.
- Some steroids are corticosteroids that have very little in common with HGH. Their primary purpose, when used as medications, is to control inflammation.
- HGH can speed healing, such as with broken bones. Steroids have not been shown to have that effect on the body, except for decreasing inflammation and swelling.
- Abuse of steroids can result in serious side effect, including infertility, depression, aggressive and risky behaviors, impotence, breast tissue growth, and testicular shrinkage. HGH abuse increases the risk of diabetes, carpal tunnel syndrome, and high cholesterol.
We are often asked, is growth hormone safer than steroids. The answer to that question is a bit complicated. Let us break it down like this:
- Both HGH and steroids such as testosterone and cortisone, have their places in medicine. If the body is low in any of these hormones, or suffering from inflammation, then the corresponding treatment can be highly beneficial.
- HGH has fewer side effects than testosterone (the most common steroid). If side effects occur, the doctor can lower the HGH dosage, and the reactions typically go away quickly. With testosterone side effects, the issues can be long-lasting, even after stopping the medication.
- At no time are HGH or steroids safe to use without a doctor’s prescription.
*HGH and steroids have many differences, with HGH typically being the safer of the medications.
How Are HGH and Steroids Similar?
Just as there are differences when asking, is HGH a steroid, there are also similarities between them, including:
- Both HGH and steroid medications require a doctor’s prescription.
- You need to undergo physical examination and blood testing before receiving HGH and steroid hormones.
- HGH and steroid hormones such as testosterone, help to build muscle and strong bones.
- Both HGH and steroids are illegal in sports and bodybuilding competitions.
- HGH and steroids can assist with metabolism and the mobilizing and burning of excess fat.
- Both types of hormones can help improve libido and sexual functions.
- Brain functions benefit from signals received by both HGH and testosterone.
- HGH and steroids both influence mood, mental health, and emotional state. Depression is possible with either type of deficiency.
- Both types of medication carry side effects when abused.
- HGH and steroids can help improve sleep quality and duration.
- Both medications can help reduce LDL and total cholesterol, as well as blood pressure levels, and improve overall heart health.
When is HGH considered a steroid? Although HGH is not considered a steroid in the medical community, its anabolic properties support muscle protein synthesis is much the same way.
If you have further questions or would like to speak with a medical advisor about hormone deficiency and therapy, please contact RX Hormone for a confidential consultation at no cost.