Having a high blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, can cause a lot of untoward complications. A high blood sugar can cause atherosclerosis, glaucoma or blindness, neuropathy or poor nerve function gangrenes, infections, heart attacks, hormonal imbalances, changes in weight or even early death as a result of complications.
A high blood sugar can be an effect of many etiologies. It can also occur as a side effect of drug intake. Steroids are the most notable drug class which has been known to cause an increase in blood sugar levels in the blood.
One of the interests nowadays is how some steroidal hormones which are now being artificially administered as drugs can cause an elevated blood sugar level. One of these hormones is human growth hormone. Human growth hormone (HGH) is a protein-based poly-peptide hormone. It stimulates growth and cell reproduction and regeneration in humans and other animals. It is a 191-amino acid, single-chain polypeptide hormone that is synthesized, stored, and secreted by the somatotroph cells within the lateral wings of the anterior pituitary gland.
But is it really true? Does Human growth hormone really raise blood sugar levels?
HGH and High Blood Sugar
Human growth hormone, actually, is one of those hormones which have effects on blood sugar levels. There are three hormone which raise blood sugar levels by affecting structures outside the pancreas---- epinephrine, human growth hormone and cortisol.
The pituitary gland produces and secretes growth hormone, which raises blood glucose levels by increasing protein synthesis and promoting the breakdown of fatty acids in adipose tissue. Stress, exercise, a high-protein diet, and hypoglycemia increase its secretion. Growth hormone prevents hypoglycemia by stimulating the release of glycogen from the liver.
It is said that human growth hormone stimulates gluconeogenesis, especially in the liver, resulting in a net increase in hepatic glucose output. Most people can produce enough extra insulin to compensate for this effect and maintain normal glucose levels, but those who cannot develop diabetes.
So, how can we prevent this? Ask help from your doctor before starting any HGH treatment regimen. It also helps to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly before, during and after HGH treatment. If you are diabetic, you should regularly take your medications. You should also eat a balanced diet and get exercise and enough sleep to prevent complications which may harm your health.