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HGH research

What published studies found for HGH: 8 papers, 8 in humans, with sample sizes and key results, plus 172 registered clinical trials.

A
Strong human evidence
Why: Approved drug; meta-analyses of many RCTs show benefit in GH deficiency and childhood growth, while in healthy adults lean mass rises without strength gains.

Recombinant human growth hormone (somatropin) is an approved drug with extensive RCT and meta-analytic evidence of benefit in diagnosed GH deficiency and some pediatric growth disorders. In healthy older adults and young athletes, meta-analyses show modest lean-mass gains without improved strength or performance, alongside more adverse effects.

✓ 3 positive✗ 2 negative~ 3 mixed

Benefits are established for diagnosed GH deficiency and specific pediatric conditions; use for anti-aging or performance is not supported and carries more adverse effects.

US compounding: Approved biologic: not compoundable. Somatropin is an FDA-approved biologic; biologics can't be compounded from bulk under section 503A. Status for every peptide.

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Reported side effects

Registered clinical trials

172 trials of HGH on ClinicalTrials.gov: 17 active, 114 completed, 32 with posted results. Registered trials include ones that haven't published yet.

TrialStatusPhasePeopleSponsor
Long-term Efficacy and Safety Evaluation of Growth Hormone in Children in China(CGLS)NCT06110910 · started 2023-03-01Recruiting–10,000Xiaoping Luo
Chromosome 18 Clinical Research CenterNCT00227253 · started 1993-09Recruiting–4,000The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
The Efficacy and Safety of PEGylated GH for the Treatment of Short Stature in Chinese Children-GLOBE RegNCT06037473 · started 2023-08-01Recruiting–2,600Beijing Children's Hospital
Effect of GH on the Blastocyst Euploid Rate in AMA PatientsNCT05447208 · started 2022-08-01RecruitingPhase 3400ShangHai Ji Ai Genetics & IVF Institute
PEG-rhGH and Semaglutide Combination Therapy in Non-Diabetic Obese AdultsNCT06863363Not yet recruitingPhase 4212Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital
Trial Investigating the Efficacy and Safety of Weekly Lonapegsomatropin Compared to Daily Somatropin in Children and Adolescents With Short Stature or Growth Failure Due to Growth Hormone Sufficient DisordersNCT07221851 · started 2025-12-12RecruitingPhase 3186Ascendis Pharma A/S
Effects of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone in Elderly Patients With Moderate to Severe Acute Brain Injury (GH-ABI-RCT)NCT07481656 · started 2026-04-10Not yet recruitingPhase 4160Anhui Provincial Hospital
The Efficacy and Safety of Inpegsomatropin Injection in Children With Short Stature Born Small for Gestational AgeNCT07309562 · started 2026-01-20RecruitingPhase 3141Xiamen Amoytop Biotech Co., Ltd.
A Bioequivalence Study of Two Different Processes of PEG-rhGH PreparationsNCT06840691 · started 2025-05Not yet recruitingPhase 187Changchun GeneScience Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
A Phase II Study of PEG-rhGH Injection for Short Children Born Small for Gestational Age: Efficacy, Safety, and PharmacokineticsNCT07260500 · started 2025-11-11RecruitingPhase 272Changchun GeneScience Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
A Clinical Study of GenSci134 in Healthy Adults and Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency(AGHD)NCT07016802 · started 2025-06-09RecruitingPhase 164Changchun GeneScience Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Impact of Medically Supervised Performance-Enhancing Substances (PES) on Elite AthletesNCT07568574 · started 2026-03-12Enrolling by invitation–60Enhanced Emirates Limited

All 172 HGH trials, with countries and recruiting status

Meta-analyses & systematic reviews

✓ Positivemeta-analysisCochrane Database Syst Rev · 2012

Growth hormone for children with chronic kidney disease.

n = 809 humansCochrane systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTsMostly one year

In 16 RCTs (809 children with CKD), one year of GH increased height velocity by 3.88 cm/year vs control with side effects similar to control; effect on final height unknown.

Key resultrhGH 28 IU/m2/wk increased height velocity at one year by 3.88 cm/y (7 studies, 287 children; 95% CI 3.32 to 4.44) and HSDS by MD 0.82 (95% CI 0.56 to 1.07)
Studied
Children aged 0 to 18 with chronic kidney disease (pre-dialysis, dialysis or post-transplant)
Compared with
Placebo or no specific therapy; also 14 IU/m2/wk vs 28 IU/m2/wk
Main outcome
Height standard deviation score and height velocity
Sample
16 studies, 809 children
Authors' conclusion
One year of rhGH in children with CKD increased height velocity above untreated patients; side effects were similar to controls. Studies were too short to show an effect on final adult height.
Limitations
Study quality poor or poorly reported; studies too short to assess final adult height.
PubMed 22336787DOIFree full text
✓ Positivemeta-analysisJ Clin Endocrinol Metab · 2008

The effect of growth hormone replacement on exercise capacity in patients with GH deficiency: a metaanalysis.

n = 268 humansMeta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies (fixed-effects model)

Across 11 placebo-controlled RCTs (268 GH-deficient adults), GH replacement modestly improved maximal power output and oxygen uptake (overall effect size +0.32).

Key resultOverall effect ds=+0.32 (0.08-0.56); maximal power output ds=+0.4 (0.06-0.74); maximal oxygen uptake ds=+0.34 (0.07-0.62)
Studied
Adults with GH deficiency
Compared with
Placebo
Main outcome
Exercise performance (maximal power output, maximal oxygen uptake)
Sample
11 randomized double-blind placebo-controlled studies, 268 patients
Authors' conclusion
The authors state there is strong evidence that GH replacement improves exercise performance in GH-deficient patients.
Limitations
Pooled effect sizes are modest.
PubMed 18697875DOI
~ Mixedmeta-analysisAnn Intern Med · 2007

Systematic review: the safety and efficacy of growth hormone in the healthy elderly.

n = 220 humansSystematic review of randomized controlled trialsMean treatment 27 weeks

Across 18 RCT populations of healthy older adults (mean age 69), GH reduced fat mass 2.1 kg and raised lean mass 2.1 kg, but increased edema, arthralgia, carpal tunnel syndrome and gynecomastia; authors concluded it cannot be recommended as anti-aging therapy.

Key resultFat mass change -2.1 kg (95% CI -2.8 to -1.35) and lean body mass change 2.1 kg (CI 1.3 to 2.9) (P < 0.001); weight change 0.1 kg (P = 0.87)
Studied
Healthy community-dwelling elderly (mean age 69 years, mean BMI 28 kg/m2)
Compared with
No GH therapy (or lifestyle interventions alone)
Main outcome
Safety and efficacy: body composition, lipids, bone density, adverse events
Sample
18 unique study populations (31 articles); 220 participants who received GH completed their studies
Authors' conclusion
GH in the healthy elderly is associated with small changes in body composition and increased rates of adverse events; GH cannot be recommended as an antiaging therapy.
Limitations
Literature limited; most included studies had small sample sizes; some outcomes could not be synthesized.
PubMed 17227934DOI
✗ Negativemeta-analysisCan J Aging · 2017

Effects of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone for Osteoporosis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

13 randomized clinical trialsSystematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs

In 13 RCTs of adults 50+ with normal pituitary function, GH did not significantly increase bone mineral density and was associated with a higher rate of adverse events.

Studied
Persons aged 50 and older with normal pituitary function, with or at risk for osteoporosis
Compared with
Placebo and other comparators
Main outcome
Bone mineral density of lumbar spine and femoral neck
Authors' conclusion
GH treatment results in very small, nonsignificant increases in BMD in people with or at risk of osteoporosis; GH significantly affected some bone biomarkers and adverse events were more frequent in GH groups.
PubMed 28069090DOI
✗ Negativesystematic reviewAnn Intern Med · 2008

Systematic review: the effects of growth hormone on athletic performance.

n = 303 humansSystematic review of randomized controlled trialsMean 20 days for studies giving GH for >1 day

Across 27 RCT samples of fit young adults, GH increased lean body mass 2.1 kg but did not appear to improve strength or exercise capacity, and caused more soft-tissue edema and fatigue.

Key resultLean body mass increased 2.1 kg (95% CI 1.3 to 2.9 kg); strength and exercise capacity did not seem to improve
Studied
Young (mean age 27), lean, physically fit community-dwelling healthy participants aged 13 to 45
Compared with
No GH treatment
Main outcome
Athletic performance (lean body mass, strength, exercise capacity)
Sample
27 study samples (44 articles); 303 participants received GH
Authors' conclusion
Claims that GH enhances physical performance are not supported by the literature; it may increase lean mass but may not improve strength, and may increase adverse events. More research is needed.
Limitations
Few studies evaluated athletic performance; study GH protocols may not reflect real-world doses.
PubMed 18347346DOI
~ Mixedsystematic reviewClin Endocrinol (Oxf) · 2014

Efficacy and safety of growth hormone treatment in adults with growth hormone deficiency: a systematic review of studies on morbidity.

No new dataSystematic review of studies on morbidity

In GH-deficient adults, GH appeared to lower cardiovascular and fracture risk, but stroke and secondary brain tumours remained more prevalent; overall malignancy was not increased, with limited follow-up.

Studied
Adults with growth hormone deficiency
Main outcome
Cardiovascular disease, stroke, fractures, malignancies, diabetes
Authors' conclusion
A positive effect of GH on CVD and fracture risk could be concluded, though study design limitations apply; malignancies and tumour recurrence were not increased, and diabetes data are hard to interpret. Individualized assessment seems appropriate.
Limitations
Study design limitations; relatively short follow-up; diabetes studies difficult to interpret.
PubMed 24750271DOI
✓ Positivesystematic reviewGrowth Horm IGF Res · 2015

Reviewing the safety of GH replacement therapy in adults.

94 studiesSystematic review (PRISMA) of RCTs of 3 months or more and open trials of 12 months or more

Review of 94 studies concluded GH replacement in adults with severe GH deficiency did not consistently increase diabetes or cancer risk, though data are limited by small samples and lack of controls.

Studied
Adults with GH deficiency
Main outcome
Glucose metabolism, diabetes, cancer and long-term safety
Authors' conclusion
Based on available data, short- and long-term GH replacement in severe GH deficiency and hypopituitarism appears safe; increased diabetes or cancer risk was not evident.
Limitations
Small number of subjects, limited long-term data, and no adequate control population.
PubMed 26117668DOI

Human studies

~ Mixedhuman RCTGrowth Horm IGF Res · 1999

The effect of the deterioration of insulin sensitivity on beta-cell function in growth-hormone-deficient adults following 4-month growth hormone replacement therapy.

n = 24 humansDouble-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial4 months

In 24 GH-deficient adults, 4 months of GH vs placebo cut fat mass ~4 kg and raised lean mass, but markedly reduced insulin sensitivity and raised fasting glucose and insulin.

Key resultFat mass fell from 32.4 to 28.1 kg (P<0.001) and lean body mass rose from 58.3 to 61.0 kg (P<0.01) in the GH group; insulin sensitivity index decreased (P<0.003)
Studied
Adults with growth hormone deficiency (18 men, 6 women)
Compared with
Placebo
Main outcome
Body composition and glucose metabolism / beta-cell function
Sample
24 adults with GHD randomized (13 GH, 11 placebo)
Authors' conclusion
Short-term GH replacement in GHD adults reduces insulin sensitivity despite favourable body composition changes, with inadequate enhancement of insulin secretion.
Limitations
Small trial of 24 patients and 4 months.
PubMed 10373342DOI

Verdicts are judged on each paper's own main outcome; grades run from A (strong human evidence) to D (little or none). Details are read from the abstracts, and figures are reproduced only from openly licensed full texts. Not medical advice.