What’s the difference between HGH and TRT?
Both are treatments that can improve your overall health, but there are some key distinctions between the two.
Here we’ll take a look at what these treatments involve, as well as their benefits and drawbacks.
As people age, our organs begin to deteriorate. It’s a normal action, and we will become less efficient in producing certain hormones.
Of course, if we do silly things with our body we could end up negatively affecting these systems, or even the organs themselves, which could potentially downregulate the production of certain hormones as well.
HGH is known as Human Growth Hormone, which is produced naturally by the Pituitary Gland. TRT is known as Testosterone Replacement Therapy and is given to men who suffer from low Testosterone (Hypogonadism).
These two are massively different not only in structure but also in their effects on the human body.
What exactly are these effects, however?
And when is it appropriate to use the one and not the other? Both?
Keep reading to learn all the secrets.
HGH vs TRT – how essential?
HGH is known as Human Growth Hormone and is essential to human health.
Having too little Growth Hormone can lead to some pretty nasty effects:
- Depression and Anxiety
- Dry Skin
- Increased fat mass, especially around the abdomen
- Loss of Muscle Mass
TRT on the other hand is known as Testosterone Replacement Therapy and is given to men as a replacement for their (lack of) endogenous Testosterone.
Having low Test can have the following symptoms:
- Decreased muscle mass
- Increased fat mass
- Increased risk of Cardiovascular disease
- Low Libido as well as erectile dysfunction
HGH is simply a Peptide made of different Amino Acids strung together with Peptide Bonds, whilst TRT is Testosterone being administered by a medical professional.
What is HGH
HGH was first introduced into the medical world in the year 1963 to treat individuals who were suffering from muscle wasting diseases, deficiency, or even burn wounds.
It has found great success in the medical world and has (as most drugs) trickled down into the fitness world where it is now used to boost and enhance physical function.
HGH is a polypeptide, meaning it is a string of Amino Acids that are bound with Peptide bonds.
It is not a Steroid, but something that the body produces naturally from the pituitary gland located in the brain.
It is important for growth, cell production, and cell regeneration.
Having a deficiency is a real medical situation, and can have symptoms like depression, dry skin, and weight gain (especially around the abdomen).
HGH is used in the fitness world for its effects on muscle growth, fat loss, and recovery. It is remarkably good at enabling lipolysis and inhibiting the storage of food in fat cells.
What is TRT
Men will naturally produce between 7 – 10mg of Testosterone per day, and this will keep them happy and functioning.
That being said, many men will begin to suffer from Low Testosterone as they age, a condition called Hypogonadism. This can be due to various reasons ranging from age to drug use.
This can lead to some nasty effects such as low libido and depression.
TRT is called Testosterone Replacement Therapy and is simply a doctor replacing your lack of endogenous Testosterone with exogenous Testosterone.
This differs strongly from Steroids because not only is the amount of Testosterone given way less than that of Steroids but it is also monitored by a professional doctor to see if your blood values remain safe.
TRT is not only safer than Steroids, but it is just a safe form of therapy and is perfectly legal if you do it through a medical professional.
When to use HGH and TRT?
When to use HGH
The timing of Growth Hormone is a highly contested one, so first, let’s look at what happens when you inject HGH:
Firstly, Growth Hormone signals to contractile tissue (and other tissue as well) to be prepared for growth.
With the presence of Growth Hormone (endogenous or exogenous), the Pancreas will then produce Glucagon and Lipase; Lipase will release Fatty Acids from Adipocytes, and Glucagon will circulate through the system and reach the liver.
The liver will then contribute Glucose from Glycogen stores into the bloodstream, which causes blood sugar to increase, which initiates the Pancreas to release insulin.
Putting all this together, you have cells that are prepared for growth, fuel (via fat and sugar) that is available in the bloodstream, and insulin to shuttle the nutrients where they are needed to go.
The ideal timing of HGH administration will differ based on the desired goal.
So, depending on what your goal is, you will inject Growth Hormone in the morning or in the evening:
- Fat Loss: Inject before fasted cardio
- Muscle Growth: Inject fasted before going to bed
When to use TRT
TRT is often administered if the person is suffering from Hypogonadism.
TRT, or testosterone replacement therapy, is a medical treatment designed to help people suffering from low testosterone levels.
It can be used to treat a wide variety of symptoms associated with low T, including fatigue, loss of muscle mass, bone density loss, moodiness, and more.
There is no “one size fits all” answer to the question of when to use TRT.
The decision of whether or not to begin therapy should be made on an individual basis after evaluation by a qualified doctor. There are many factors that will influence the timing of starting TRT, such as the severity of symptoms, age, overall health status, and more.
Does HGH work better with Testosterone?
Human Growth Hormone is often used by professional bodybuilders with the goal of building as much lean muscle mass without accruing too much body fat.
This means they will not only diet to reach this level of muscularity but make use of polypharmacy and different combinations of different pharmaceuticals to get the best results they possibly can.
There is some evidence to show that HGH and Testosterone work better with one another than they do working alone.
While most of this evidence is not really based on peer-reviewed science, there are of course thousands of users around the world.
When looking at their experience it becomes glaringly obvious that the two in conjunction work way better.
That being said some pathways are very similar and will not be a good idea, such as Deca Durabolin and HGH. Both of these can cause water retention, and more worryingly, Prolactin.
High Prolactin can lead to some nasty side effects such as erectile dysfunction.
Does HGH produce more testosterone?
HGH is produced by the pituitary gland located in the brain, whilst Testosterone is produced by the Leydig Cells in the Testes, so no, HGH does not produce more Testosterone.
Does HGH work like steroids?
Steroids are classified as Synthetic Versions of the male hormone Testosterone, or derivatives of it. HGH is a polypeptide that is produced by the pituitary gland located in the brain.
The two are not the same, and HGH works completely differently from Steroids.
Does HGH work without testosterone?
Yes, HGH can work without testosterone, but it may not be as effective. Testosterone is an important hormone for muscle growth, so if you’re looking to build muscle mass, HGH + testosterone might be a better combination.
However, HGH can still help you build leaner body mass and improve your overall health and appearance even without testosterone.
What are the risks of taking HGH?
As with most drugs, there are side effects when taking them. These are definitely dose-dependent, thus, the more you take, the more likely you’re going to suffer from these side effects.
The risks of taking HGH are:
- The shutdown of Endogenous Production: When taking any hormone, HGH included, the part of the body that is naturally responsible for producing it will begin to shut down, and possibly atrophy
- Massive Water Retention: Growth Hormone (especially in higher amounts) has been known to cause some significant water retention. This can be due to sodium retention and can lead to other issues like high blood pressure
- Insulin Resistance: Growth Hormone is known to cause insulin resistance, especially amongst users who follow a diet that is quite heavy in Carbohydrates. This means you will have to be careful with your usage and diet, otherwise, you run the risk of potentially developing diabetes
- It’s Illegal: Using HGH when it was not prescribed by a medical professional is technically illegal
On the other hand, you can avoid every side effect and risk that come with taking HGH and consider a natural alternative instead.
Several countries have passed laws making HGH illegal, including the United States, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, and others.
This means that you could face serious legal repercussions if you were caught using the drug.
Legal Alternative to HGH
Now that we have established that Growth Hormone usage without the prescription of a medical professional is illegal, we can start looking at legal alternatives that don’t break the law or break your medical aid premiums.
Growth Hormone does have some significant risks, but HGH-X2 from CrazyBulk does not.
Specifically designed to give you similar results to that of actual HGH, HGH-X2 does not give you any adverse effects whilst using it, but can lead to increased muscle mass, decreased fat mass, and increased recovery.
Some of the ingredients in HGH-X include:
- Maca Root – increases energy levels, stamina, and endurance
- Mucuna Pruriens – helps to increase growth hormone production
- Hawthorn Berry extract – supports healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- L-Arginine – improves blood circulation and oxygenation
And lots more.
Additionally, HGH-X is also free of any banned substances, so you don’t have to worry about testing positive for doping if you’re a competitive athlete.
Final Thoughts
So, which is better for you? TRT or HGH?
If you are looking to increase muscle mass and improve your overall health, then HGH might be the right choice for you. However, if you are experiencing symptoms of Low T such as decreased sex drive and fatigue, TRT could be a better option.
Regardless, speak with your doctor to see which treatment plan is best for you.