Written by Abigail Jackson - January 28, 2023
IGF-1 (Insulin-like growth factor 1) and HGH (human growth hormone) are two different hormones produced in the body. While both hormones play important roles in the body, there are also some key distinctions between them.
IGF-1 is a hormone secreted mainly by the liver in response to growth hormone stimulation. It plays an essential role in childhood development, has anabolic effects on tissues and regulates cell death and glucose metabolism. Its primary role is to promote cell growth, especially in cartilage and bone tissue.
HGH or human growth hormone is synthesized in the pituitary gland which releases it into the bloodstream where it circulates around the body's organs. This hormone stimulates growth of bones and muscles, as well as increases fat burning and metabolic rate leading to reduced body fat levels. At higher dosages it can stimulate bone healing, increase muscle mass, reduce wrinkles and improve skin complexion.
One main distinction between these two hormones is their production process - IGF-1 is created from hormonal signals from GH while HGH is actually a direct product of its parent hormone GH (growth hormone). IGF-1 functions more as a messenger with lower level regulation of metabolic processes while HGH exerts more direct action at its target sites . Additionally, even though each substance can increase muscle strength when combined with exercise, IGF-1 does not have any effect on fat loss whereas HGH does induce lipolysis or burning of fat reserves leading to weight loss.
Another major difference between these two substances is their half life duration - IGF-1 has a shorter half life compared to HGH which can last up to several hours if taken subcutaneously while IGF-l dissipates after 30 minutes after intravenous injection. Additionally, due to its shorter half life IGF-1 responds faster than GH producing results within 24 hours whereas HGH takes almost a week before showing any changes when used therapeutically.,
At Hormone Treatment Center we offer tailor made bioidentical hormone replacement therapies tailored specifically for each individual patient’s needs that can help regulate your hormones naturally for optimal health benefits without any adverse side effects associated with conventional therapies. Contact us today for more information about how our treatments may benefit you!