Summary

Sam Zuponeck
3 October 2007
Dr. O’Rourke
English 106
Article Summary

Human Growth Hormone, otherwise known as hGH, has become one of the most popular performance enhancing drugs, since a synthetic recombinant form was improved in the early 1990’s. It is believed to have extreme anabolic muscle building effects on users of it, but according to the article this is not proven. However, all research that is now available shows otherwise, hence why athletes commonly use it. It is on the list of banned substances created by the World Anti-Doping Agency, however it is nearly impossible to be tested for, because growth hormone levels in the body are constantly high in athletes, and naturally and synthetic growth hormone look identical on tests. The only real way to tell if an athlete is abusing hGH, is that if they are not diabetic, that they begin showing signs of hypoglycemia, or high blood sugar levels. In the long run, use of hGH can cause diabetes, because of the constant high blood sugar levels, enlarged kidneys, heart attack, and stroke.

British Journal of Sports Medicine 2006;40(Supplement 1):i35-i39; doi:10.1136/bjsm.2006.027573Copyright © 2006 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd & British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine