From the Guidelines
Human Growth Hormone (HGH) therapy may increase the risk of developing diabetes, particularly in patients with pre-existing risk factors, as it can induce insulin resistance and increase glucose production in the liver. This is supported by a study published in Nature Reviews Nephrology in 2019 1, which found that although GH treatment for ≤5 years does not typically have an adverse effect on glucose tolerance, close monitoring of glucose metabolism is advised when initiating GH therapy in patients with chronic kidney disease due to an increased risk of impaired glucose tolerance.
Key Considerations
- Patients using HGH should monitor their blood glucose regularly, especially during the first few months of treatment.
- Those already at risk for diabetes (family history, obesity, history of gestational diabetes) should be particularly vigilant.
- If prescribed HGH, typical adult doses range from 0.15 to 0.3 mg/day, with lower doses often recommended for older adults or those with diabetes risk factors.
- Signs of developing insulin resistance include increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained fatigue, and consistently elevated blood glucose readings.
Monitoring and Management
- Patients with existing diabetes using HGH may require more frequent blood glucose monitoring and potential adjustments to diabetes medications to maintain glycemic control.
- Lifestyle interventions, such as healthy eating patterns and weight loss, can help prevent or delay the progression to diabetes in individuals with prediabetes and a history of gestational diabetes, as shown in studies published in Diabetes Care in 2019 1, 2020 1, and 2025 1.
- Metformin and intensive lifestyle intervention can also prevent or delay progression to diabetes in women with prediabetes and a history of gestational diabetes.
From the Research
Relationship between Human Growth Hormone (HGH) and Diabetes Risk
- The relationship between Human Growth Hormone (HGH) and the risk of developing diabetes is complex and has been studied in various contexts 2.
- One study found that treatment with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in combination with metformin did not cause sustained negative effects on glucose metabolism or insulin sensitivity in patients with metabolic syndrome 2.
- However, the study also found that fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels increased significantly after 6 months of treatment with rhGH and metformin, although they subsequently decreased to baseline levels 2.
- Other studies have focused on the management of type 2 diabetes, highlighting the importance of achieving glycemic control through various therapies, including metformin, sulfonylureas, and insulin 3, 4, 5.
- These studies suggest that early treatment with oral medications, such as metformin, can help achieve glycemic control and reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications 3, 4, 5.
- More recent studies have emphasized the importance of considering the nonglycemic effects of glucose-lowering agents, such as thiazolidinediones (TZDs), which can have both positive and negative effects on cardiovascular risk factors and bone density 5.
- The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has established guidelines for glycemic control in older adults, recommending different A1C targets based on comorbid health status 6.
- A study examining the ADA framework found that older adults with diabetes who had A1C levels ≥8% were at higher risk of mortality and hospitalizations, particularly those with very complex or poor health status 6.