Claimed effect · Human growth hormone (somatropin)

Does Human growth hormone (somatropin) help with anti-ageing?

D
Grade D — no human evidenceNo trial supports it · effect size: not measurable
Short answerNo human evidence. As of 3 September 2026, only no trial supports it exist for Human growth hormone (somatropin) for anti-ageing. No randomised trial has shown that growth hormone slows ageing or extends life in healthy people. The systematic review that examined the question concluded against the use.

What the studies show

No randomised trial has shown that growth hormone slows ageing or extends life in healthy people. The systematic review that examined the question concluded against the use.

“On the basis of this evidence, GH cannot be recommended as an antiaging therapy.”

Verbatim, from the abstractLiu H, et al. Systematic review: the safety and efficacy of growth hormone in the healthy elderly. Ann Intern Med, 2007;146:104–115

Animal studies, cell studies, or anecdotes only. This is where almost every viral peptide sits. Promising and proven are different words for a reason.

  1. 1
    Liu H, et al. Systematic review: the safety and efficacy of growth hormone in the healthy elderly.Ann Intern Med, 2007;146:104–11518 study populations; the definitive assessment of anti-ageing use.

In context

Growth hormone is a 191-amino-acid protein, approved for decades to treat genuine growth-hormone deficiency in children and adults, where it works well. Sold as an anti-ageing or physique drug, its record is different: a meta-analysis of randomised trials in healthy older adults found it shifts about 2 kg of fat to lean tissue with no change in total weight, while significantly raising rates of swelling, joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and gynaecomastia. The authors concluded it cannot be recommended for that purpose.

Human growth hormone (somatropin) is approved (rx) for deficiency; anti-ageing use unlawful in the us. Legal status differs by country — see the regulation section or the jurisdiction pages.

Questions

Is Human growth hormone (somatropin) proven to help with anti-ageing?
No. There is no human evidence for it (No trial supports it); the claim rests on animal or cell studies and LYO grades it D.
What studies are behind the grade?
No randomised trial has shown that growth hormone slows ageing or extends life in healthy people. The systematic review that examined the question concluded against the use.
Is Human growth hormone (somatropin) approved for this?
Human growth hormone (somatropin) is an approved medicine (Approved (Rx) for deficiency; anti-ageing use unlawful in the US); whether this particular outcome is a licensed indication is stated on the compound page's regulation section.

Other outcomes for Human growth hormone (somatropin)

Written and maintained by LYO Research — how pages are written and checked. Reviewed 3 September 2026. Grades count human evidence only; see how LYO grades. Not medical advice. Correct this page →