1. What Is Human Growth Hormone (HGH)?

Human growth hormone (HGH), also called somatotropin, is a hormone that the pituitary gland, which is about the size of a pea and found at the base of your brain, makes and releases. The pituitary gland has two parts – a front (anterior) and a back (posterior) lobe. The front lobe produces HGH.

There are two types of HGH: the kind your body naturally makes and a synthetic version. Doctors prescribe synthetic HGH to treat specific health conditions.

2. The Role of HGH

Human growth hormone does two main things: It helps kids grow and affects how your body uses food for energy.

For growth, HGH tells certain cells in your bones and cartilage to multiply, especially during puberty, making you taller. After puberty, it keeps your body in shape. For metabolism, HGH boosts a hormone called insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which works like insulin to control your blood sugar levels.

3. Normal HGH Ranges

Your pituitary gland releases HGH in pulses, which vary in size and length depending on things like time of day, age, and sex. Normal HGH levels include:

• Adults assigned male at birth: 0.4 to 10 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) or 18 to 44 picomoles per liter (pmol/L).
• Adults assigned female at birth: 1 to 14 ng/mL or 44 to 616 pmol/L.
• Children: 10 to 50 ng/mL or 440 to 2,200 pmol/L.