Claimed effect · Human growth hormone (somatropin)

Does Human growth hormone (somatropin) help with body composition in healthy older adults?

A
Grade A — established in humansMeta-analysis, 18 study populations · effect size: small
Short answerEstablished in humans. Meta-analysis, 18 study populations point the same way: a small effect. Fat mass fell about 2.1 kg and lean mass rose about 2.1 kg, with no change in total body weight. A shift, not a loss — and smaller than most people expect.

What the studies show

Fat mass fell about 2.1 kg and lean mass rose about 2.1 kg, with no change in total body weight. A shift, not a loss — and smaller than most people expect.

“In participants treated with GH compared with those not treated with GH, overall fat mass decreased (change in fat mass, -2.1 kg [95% CI, -2.8 to -1.35] and overall lean body mass increased (change in lean body mass, 2.1 kg [CI, 1.3 to 2.9]) (P < 0.001), and their weight did not change significantly (change in weight, 0.1 kg [CI, -0.7 to 0.8]; P = 0.87).”

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

Several well-run randomised trials in people, pointing the same way. You can plan around this. It still says nothing about whether the effect is worth the side effects for you.

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    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 body composition in healthy older adults?
Yes, as far as human trials can show it: Meta-analysis, 18 study populations. LYO grades this outcome A.
What studies are behind the grade?
Fat mass fell about 2.1 kg and lean mass rose about 2.1 kg, with no change in total body weight. A shift, not a loss — and smaller than most people expect.
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 →