Is There a Connection between HGH and Anemia?

Anemia is one more issue of concern for adults over fifty. The connection between HGH and anemia is one requiring further understanding going forward. We are already finding benefits of using human growth hormone therapy to help some adults reverse the concerns associated with anemia.

What is anemia?

Anemia occurs when a person’s red blood cell count (hemoglobin) is less than normal:

<12.0 gram/100 ml in women
<13.5 gram/100 ml in men

A decrease in production, an increase in loss (heavy bleeding), or destruction of red blood cells can lead to anemia. Aside from a decrease in production, poorly or smaller shaped cells or pale color can also occur in cases of anemia.

What does HGH have to do with anemia?

Around the same time that some adults develop anemia, they are also noticing symptoms of growth hormone deficiency. Both concerns are common with aging. Is there a connection? In some instances, the answer is yes.

Hormones play both a direct and indirect role in blood cell production. For example, testosterone supports red blood cell production in bone marrow. Growth hormone helps to boost testosterone levels, providing an indirect benefit for red blood cell production.

One study discussing the use of HGH for anemia explains how multiple hormone changes can influence erythropoietin synthesis (production of the hormone that promotes red blood cell mass). [1]

Anemia has multiple causes in the elderly, including nutrient deficiencies, illness, and medication use. As many as one-third of all anemic older adults may show no “cause” for their condition. For them, it may be necessary to look at hormone deficiency as being the issue, especially if other symptoms are present.

Adults with panhypopituitarism (inadequate anterior pituitary hormone production) and anemia may also benefit from HGH therapy. Treatment showed promising results after thyroid, and adrenocortical hormones failed to provide benefits. [2, 3]

Does HGH Therapy Impact Adults with Normal Blood Counts?

With HGH use showing benefit for increasing red blood cell production in anemic adults, there may be concern that those individuals with normal blood counts might see too high an increase in erythropoiesis. That is not the case.

Just as HGH will not increase lean muscle mass in a person who is not HGH deficient, it will not have an effect on erythropoiesis in adults with normal blood cell counts. There may, however, be positive benefits for HGH and anemia reversal to restore normal hemoglobin levels. [4]

What Does HGH Do for Adults with Normochromic Normocytic Anemia?

There are two types of anemia we will look at when examining the connection between HGH and anemia:

Normochromic Normocytic Anemia
Microcytic Anemia

What is normochromic normocytic anemia?

This form of anemia features red blood cells with hemoglobin content and cellular size within normal limits. HGH use is able to restore normal hemoglobin levels to adults with normochromic normocytic anemia.

Growth hormone also has capabilities of improving regulation of hemochrome – the red coloring of the blood. We often see this occur when talking about microcytic anemia.

What is microcytic anemia?

This type of anemia has smaller red blood cells that are also paler in color.

When providing treatment with HGH, microcytic anemia may also benefit with improved blood cell production and hemochrome.

For additional information about HGH and anemia, please contact HT Medical Center for a free consultation with a clinic advisor.