Human growth hormone (HGH), also known as somatotropin, is a peptide hormone that stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and cell regeneration. It is a naturally occurring hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland. Somatropin is a synthetic version of HGH that is used as a prescription medication.
The terms HGH and somatropin are often used interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same thing. HGH refers to the natural growth hormone produced in the body, while somatropin is a man-made growth hormone medication. However, somatropin is identical to natural HGH on a molecular level.
Somatropin is produced using recombinant DNA technology. This involves combining the DNA that encodes growth hormone from the human pituitary gland into bacteria cells. The bacterial cells then produce large quantities of HGH. This synthetic HGH is referred to as somatropin. Brand names for somatropin products include Genotropin, Humatrope, Norditropin, Nutropin, Saizen, and Omnitrope.
So in summary:
- HGH is natural growth hormone produced by the pituitary gland.
- Somatropin is synthetic HGH produced by recombinant DNA technology.
- Somatropin has the exact same 191 amino acid sequence as natural HGH.
- They are essentially identical on a molecular level and have the same effects on the body. Somatropin simply refers to synthetic HGH.
Some key differences between natural HGH and somatropin include:
- Somatropin is available in unlimited quantities as a medication, while natural HGH production declines with age.
- Somatropin can be absorbed under the skin, while natural HGH must be injected into a muscle.
- The effects of somatropin are dose-dependent and well-controlled, while natural HGH levels fluctuate.
- Somatropin is legal only with a prescription, while supplements that claim to boost natural HGH production can be purchased over-the-counter.
In children and adolescents, HGH/somatropin is prescribed to treat growth deficiencies and short stature. In adults, somatropin may be prescribed to treat HGH deficiency from pituitary disorders or diseases. It can help build muscle, decrease fat, strengthen bones, and aid tissue healing and growth. Misusing somatropin to enhance athletic performance or physique is illegal and dangerous.
At
Harmony Hormone Clinic, we offer doctor-prescribed somatropin therapy for proven HGH deficiency using top pharmaceutical brands like Norditropin, Humatrope, and Genotropin. If lab tests confirm an HGH deficiency, somatropin treatment under close medical supervision may provide benefits like increased energy, muscle mass, exercise capacity, bone density, and improved cholesterol profile. Schedule a consultation today to determine if somatropin therapy is appropriate for your needs. Our clinicians have extensive experience optimizing hormone levels and helping patients improve their vitality and health.
So in summary, while HGH and somatropin refer to the body's natural vs. synthetic growth hormone, they are identical on a molecular level. Somatropin simply refers to bioidentical growth hormone produced in the lab. When prescribed properly for verified deficiencies and medical needs, somatropin offers a safe way to restore HGH levels. Consult an experienced
hormone therapy clinic to determine if somatropin treatment is appropriate for your situation.
