HGH Side Effects: What Studies and Users Report
What FDA labels and clinical studies report for HGH, how strong that evidence is, and what is still unknown.
Side effects reported in studies
Adverse reactions from the FDA label come first, then side effects reported in individual studies. Frequencies are quoted as the source gives them; animal results are labelled.
| Side effect | How common | Study type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fluid retention symptoms (adult GHD) | majority of adverse events in 1,145 GHD adults | FDA label | FDA label (Genotropin) |
| Peripheral edema (adult-onset GHD, 6-month placebo-controlled trial) | 42% Norditropin vs 8% placebo | FDA label | FDA label (Norditropin) |
| Edema | 25% Norditropin vs 0% placebo | FDA label | FDA label (Norditropin) |
| Arthralgia | 19% Norditropin vs 15% placebo | FDA label | FDA label (Norditropin) |
| Edema and peripheral edema (adult-onset GHD, first 6 months) | 17% vs 4% (edema); 12% vs 0% (peripheral edema), Humatrope vs placebo | FDA label | FDA label (Humatrope) |
| Bodily pain“Bodily pain increased with GH alone, as determined by the Short-Form Health Survey (P = 0.003).” | Frequency not stated | Human RCTn = 80 | The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 2006, PMID 16332938 |
| Fluid-related adverse events | about one third | Human RCTn = 148 | Clinical endocrinology 1997, PMID 9404448 |
| Edema, carpal tunnel symptoms, arthralgias | OR 3.03, 3.85 and 2.94 | Systematic reviewn = 1157 | JBJS reviews 2026, PMID 41557825 |
| Dose-related side effects | mild, dose-related | Systematic review | Growth hormone & IGF research 2024, PMID 38489867 |
| Hyperglycaemia | RR 2.43 in adults | Meta-analysisn = 701 | The Cochrane database of systematic reviews 2012, PMID 23235668 |
| Raised fasting glucose and insulin | glucose +3 mg/dl, insulin +1.9 muU/ml | Meta-analysis | The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 2009, PMID 18940879 |
| Arthralgias, peripheral edema, paresthesias | odds ratios 6, 5 and 6.5 | Meta-analysis | The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 2009, PMID 18940879 |
| Soft tissue edema and fatigue“Growth hormone-treated participants more frequently experienced soft tissue edema and fatigue than did those not treated with growth hormone.” | Frequency not stated | Systematic review | Annals of internal medicine 2008, PMID 18347346 |
What is not known
- How common each effect is at the doses people use outside of studies.
- Effects that take longer to appear than the length of the published studies.
- How HGH interacts with other medicines and supplements.
- Whether research-grade products, which are not checked by the FDA, behave like the material used in studies.
When to get medical help
Get urgent care for: trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, a widespread rash, severe or lasting stomach pain, fainting, or an injection site that becomes hot, red and spreading.
This is not a complete list. A doctor or pharmacist can help you judge whether a symptom is related.
Common questions
What are the side effects of HGH?
The FDA label lists fluid retention symptoms (adult ghd), peripheral edema (adult-onset ghd, 6-month placebo-controlled trial), edema among others. The table on this page gives how often each happened and links each source.
Is HGH safe?
HGH has an FDA-approved label that lists its known risks. That label covers the approved product used as prescribed, not compounded or research-chemical versions.
Is HGH banned in sport?
Yes. Prohibited by WADA (S2.2.3). Tested athletes should not use it.
More on HGH
DosageDoses used in published studies, with the source for each.ResultsStudy outcomes and when they were measured.PricePrice per mg and per week from dated listings. No vendor links.Legal statusFDA, compounding and WADA status with dates.How to injectSites, syringe types and hygiene, step by step.Half-lifeWhat is measured, by route, and what is not.
Sources
- 1GENOTROPIN (SOMATROPIN) KIT [PFIZER LABORATORIES DIV PFIZER INC]FDA label (Genotropin), DailyMed · current labeldailymed.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
- 2NORDITROPIN (SOMATROPIN) INJECTION, SOLUTION [NOVO NORDISK]FDA label (Norditropin), DailyMed · current labeldailymed.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
- 3HUMATROPE (SOMATROPIN) KIT [ELI LILLY AND COMPANY]FDA label (Humatrope), DailyMed · current labeldailymed.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
- 4The effects of growth hormone and/or testosterone in healthy elderly men: a randomized controlled trial.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2006PMID 16332938Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 5Two years of replacement therapy in adults with growth hormone deficiency.Clinical endocrinology · 1997PMID 9404448Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 6Human Growth Hormone as a Therapeutic Treatment Option in Orthopaedics: A Systematic Review of Dosing, Side Effects, and Clinical Outcomes.JBJS reviews · 2026PMID 41557825Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 7Growth hormone treatment in aged patients with comorbidities: A systematic review.Growth hormone & IGF research : official journal of the Growth Hormone Research Society and the International IGF Research Society · 2024PMID 38489867Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 8Recombinant human growth hormone for treating burns and donor sites.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2012PMID 23235668Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 9Effects of recombinant human growth hormone therapy in obesity in adults: a meta analysis.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2009PMID 18940879Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 10Systematic review: the effects of growth hormone on athletic performance.Annals of internal medicine · 2008PMID 18347346Accessed 2 Oct 2026
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