HGH at 18

[lmlj]

Background

I'm currently 18, nearly 19 and it seems as though I've reached somewhat of a genetic plateau for growth. My workout regimen is optimal (dare I say), with an intense HST routine, plenty of rest in between, and 8-9 hours of sleep each night. My diet as well is strictly adhered to, with plenty of red meat (~2 fresh-cut tenderloin filets/day), over 100g of protein/day (various sources, whey, and casein), plenty of Vitamin D (milk), iron, EFAs (lean white fish), and various fresh foods & greens. Water intake is minimum 3.5L/day, and my supplement stack is minimal (Creatine HCl, B Vitamin Complex, Vitamin D3, and BCAAs).

I've maintained this routine without fail for just over 7 months now (prior to I wasn't detrained, but my diet and workout schedule was far from optimal), and while I've seen some impressive strength gains, mass & size gains have been abnormally lacking. Bear in mind during this time, my BF % has stayed between 8-10% (DEXA scan 6 months ago, and again last month), and despite a 2000+ daily calorie surplus and normal free testosterone/DHEA levels (saliva test), I've barely managed to top out at 134lbs.

It's also worth noting that while height runs on my mother's side of the family (avg male ~5'11", tallest 6'2"-6'4"), my father (hispanic) is 5'5" and the rest of his side doesn't look much better. I'm currently 5'8", and have been for nearly 3 years, which brings me to the questions I'm hoping someone familiar with synthetic HGH supplements may be able to answer.


Regarding HGH

First let me say that I'm aware of the potential side effects, and it is not a decision I take lightly--I'm not someone willing to destroy my body or potential future health in search of the perfect physique. Diabetes runs in my family (mother's side), which could be a potential issue (increased insulin sensitivity), and I know there are other risks involving Cardiomegaly, increased cancer risk, and chronic joint inflammation.

That said, I also know that HGH-therapy has been used successfully in many cases to increase maximum growth potential in individuals where the epiphyseal plates have yet to fuse (during puberty). Unfortunately, finding accurate, in-depth, published, and reputable studies that either prove or refute this has been difficult. Additionally, information on long-term effects of such therapy has been exceptionally difficult to find.

As far as what I'm hoping to achieve, quite simply it's to reach 6'1"-6'2", and any window I have to stimulate that growth is quickly closing--once the growth plates have fused, I know it's pointless. As far as muscle mass, that's something I know I can achieve naturally through proper diet and exercise (with time) despite being an ecto/endomorph, so it's not really a concern or goal of such HGH therapy.

It's something that I will definitely consult a physician about prior to beginning any cycles, however I've always found their opinions to be biased to an extreme, and while they're valuable for illuminating any potential health risks, their knowledge of the positive potential and gains is usually murky at best. I'm hoping someone here who has a strong understanding of physiology and HGH might be able to provide further insight about the positive & negative potential so I can make as informed a decision as possible.

Taking into account the above, my general questions are as follows:

- Will I be able to increase my maximum height potential with HGH (exogenous) supplementation, provided my epiphyseal plates have yet to fuse

- If so, regarding dosages, cycling, or frequencies is there anything specifically I should know relative to someone still undergoing natural growth

- Given my current situation and given background information, are there any glaringly-obvious risks to using HGH

- Is it possible that another factor in my diet, lifestyle, or genetics could account for current lack-of, or delayed growth

- Is there a natural or endogenous HGH production-enhancing alternative that has the potential to be effective

- Assuming I decide to supplement with HGH, is there anything that can be taken simultaneously to minimize risk and/or damage to body & organs


Finally, it's worth noting that money is of no concern--I'm willing and capable to invest whatever is necessary to achieve this goal, my only concern being my long-term health and well-being.

Any feedback or opinion is welcomed and appreciated... Thanks!

[dec11]

simple answer, your way too young. i wouldnt advocate hgh to anyone (recreational user) under 30. hgh in younger ppl is a waste youve enuf of it naturally.
you dont use hgh to get taller

[layeazy]

Very risky and not going to work. The precribe the HGH your talking about to kids alot younger with forms of dwarfism.

You have your head in the clouds thinking you will get from 5,8 inc to 6,1 using HGH.

I will say you have taken time to do a decent write up but doesn't change the fact that you still have very limited knowledge and this is proved in some of your questioning. Except your height don't suffer from napoleon complex.

Keep training hard and read alot!

Good luck

[SlimmerMe]

As above 2 posts said, way too early for HGH.
and the fact that your growth plates have not fused yet actually makes it a lot more risky. You could potentially grow in an odd way with hgh.

My father went into the Navy when he was 18 at 5'7" and came out at 5'11".

You can still grow. And if per chance you do not, there are a lot of sexy men who are 5'8". As a matter of fact most movie stars are rarely over 5'9". And you want to know why? Because they have to be near the same height as the female lead in order for the camera to get them both in the same shot without constantly placing a stool for the female lead to stand on which is time consuming and not feasible in many cases.

Confidence is a lot more important than height. How many times have you seen some cute girl with a guy who does not compare. I bet he is confident. Makes all the difference in the world. And the way to build confidence is to keep at something you are good at doing and stay dedicated so you feel great about yourself and then others see it.

You did write a very impressive post. I hope you keep up your good work and decide to stay away from hgh which can do more harm than good. I am sure you know about the negative feedback loop since you seem to have looked into it.

[lmlj]

Well, thanks for the responses--at this point I've heard enough to realize that HGH simply isn't a good idea at this stage in my life so that's safely out of the question.

Regarding height though, my concern isn't so much relative to confidence, but rather my "natural presence." While I haven't had any problems picking up women, as a business owner, I do find it [my physical presence] has a significant impact on my professional relationships. As things currently are, I've already had to overcome the age barrier, and while that has never traditionally been a problem for me, I've noticed it become significantly easier the bigger I become (the difference going from even 120lbs to 130 was astounding). So, while I don't exactly have a problem with my current height, it's certainly to my advantage if I have the means to try and reach my maximum potential while I'm still growing (if I have the opportunity to give myself a current & future advantage, why not?).

Anyway before this gets too far off topic, since HGH is out of the question, is there anything in addition to my current routine anyone would recommend to help with what I'm looking for? If there isn't, and it's just a matter of time and physiology, I understand, but I'm hoping there might be something I've overlooked, and I'd be remiss if I didn't take every opportunity now to better prepare myself for the future.

[SlimmerMe]

You sound so intelligent which is astounding. I am not kidding.

Do you think you might want to get some expert help in the "Diet Questions" forum or the "Workout Questions" forum?
The guys there could help design you a plan which will transform your body more than you will ever know. They love sharing their knowledge too.

If you do decide to go to either/both forums please share in your post what you eat and when and how much as with your exact training and how often. This way they can go over what you do and zone in on exactly what you need to keep doing or change.

I bet you will go far in life. You sound confident already.

ps: thanks for recognizing HGH is out of the question.....smart move

[D.Pump]

If money really isn't a consideration go see an endocrinologist. They can prescribe HGH so you will grow which is what the medically accepted use is. An endocrinologist will be able to tell you if HGH is a plausible method to increase your height. Like slimmer said if some of your plates are closed and others aren't certain portions of your body will grow out of proportion. Unless you're a very late bloomer I believe you will have missed the opportunity to benefit from HGH therapy. Furthermore you will not grow ridiculously fast with HGH. One inch of annual growth is considered excellent so even if you have a year where therapy would be effective (which I highly doubt you have) you're only looking at an inch at most.

Very risky and not going to work. The precribe the HGH your talking about to kids alot younger with forms of dwarfism.

You have your head in the clouds thinking you will get from 5,8 inc to 6,1 using HGH.

I will say you have taken time to do a decent write up but doesn't change the fact that you still have very limited knowledge and this is proved in some of your questioning. Except your height don't suffer from napoleon complex.

Keep training hard and read alot!

Good luck

Not true... HGH is prescribed to children who exhibit lower than normal levels of GH during certain pituitary stress tests. Which includes normal people who may have turned out significantly shorter without HGH therapy

simple answer, your way too young. i wouldnt advocate hgh to anyone (recreational user) under 30. hgh in younger ppl is a waste youve enuf of it naturally.
you dont use hgh to get taller

actually this is the only medically accepted use for HGH at his age (adolescence)

[layeazy]

yeah D-pump the word "children"!

I even know a guy who son needed it for pituitary growth issues. The OP is nearly 19 you skeletal growth generally stops at 21 years of age so i was just giving him realistic advice not giving him false hope like yourself.

[lmlj]

Ossification obviously occurs at different times & rates for different bones, with the major ones typically ranging (in an average male) from 16-21 years of age. I've likely reached a point in my adolescence where HGH is more likely to cause abnormal growth than the overall growth stimulus I'm looking for, however (layeazy), I have no doubt if I had been financially and physically able to seek out such therapy on my own at a younger age (perhaps 13-14), the growth I am looking for would have been physiologically possible.

Anyway, I'm going to schedule an appointment with an endocrinologist this month (as per your suggestion D.Pump), so I'll post a follow up after my consultation.

[kosgr]

i agree with D.Pump..HGH is used for gh-deficiency people at any age..but most of the times for kids with dwarfism or abnormal levels of GH..also it has to be mentioned that gh isnt the only hormone that induce height there are also testosterone,estrogen etc..so you have to check these hormones too.
In many studies they use testo so that the kid grow up,if i remember well this is called Constitutional delay in growth and puberty (CDGP).
So may be someone has low levels of these hormones and ofcourse this doesnt help to grow.

[dec11]

If money really isn't a consideration go see an endocrinologist. They can prescribe HGH so you will grow which is what the medically accepted use is. An endocrinologist will be able to tell you if HGH is a plausible method to increase your height. Like slimmer said if some of your plates are closed and others aren't certain portions of your body will grow out of proportion. Unless you're a very late bloomer I believe you will have missed the opportunity to benefit from HGH therapy. Furthermore you will not grow ridiculously fast with HGH. One inch of annual growth is considered excellent so even if you have a year where therapy would be effective (which I highly doubt you have) you're only looking at an inch at most.


Not true... HGH is prescribed to children who exhibit lower than normal levels of GH during certain pituitary stress tests. Which includes normal people who may have turned out significantly shorter without HGH therapy



actually this is the only medically accepted use for HGH at his age (adolescence)

its for dwarfisim, he hardly qualifies, he hasnt got an abnormality for god sake. i was referring to within reason with the statement you quoted

[Fastkid81]

I agree totally. Way to young and he is trying to use for the wrong reasons

[kosgr]

So lmlj did you finally find an answer?
Did you visit an endocrinologist?

[layeazy]

kosgr do let this guy pursue this HGH thing let the thread die...