What is a Somatropin?
Somatropin, also known as human growth hormone (HGH), is a hormone naturally produced by our pituitary gland. It plays a vital role in many bodily functions, especially growth and development. But sometimes, our body doesn’t make enough somatropin. That’s where medical somatropin comes in.
Think of medical somatropin as a replacement for the natural hormone. Doctors can prescribe it to treat conditions where someone has low somatropin levels or stunted growth. For children, this might be due to conditions like Turner syndrome or idiopathic short stature. For adults, it could be due to growth hormone deficiency.
What are the Benefits of the Somatropin Injection ?
The Benefits of the Somatropin Injection for people with specific medical conditions. Here’s how they can help
Children’s Growth: If a child has a condition that affects their growth hormone production, like Turner syndrome or Prader-Willi syndrome, somatropin injections can help them grow taller and reach a more normal height for their age.
Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency: For adults with a deficiency in natural growth hormone, somatropin injections can improve bone density and muscle mass. This can lead to increased strength and better overall function. It might also help with body composition by reducing fat storage, particularly around the belly.
Specific Adult Conditions: In some cases, somatropin injections can benefit adults with specific conditions. For instance, they can help some adults with HIV-related weight loss regain muscle and improve strength. Additionally, they may be used to treat short bowel syndrome in adults, a condition where the intestines have difficulty absorbing nutrients.
What is the Function of the Somatropin Hormone ?
Somatropin, also known as human growth hormone (HGH), is a naturally occurring hormone produced by our pituitary gland. It acts like a master conductor in your body, influencing many functions, especially during growth and development. Here’s a breakdown of its key roles:
Growth Promoter: Somatropin is essential for children’s growth. It stimulates the growth plates in your bones and tissues, allowing you to grow taller and stronger.
Metabolic Regulator: Somatropin also plays a role in regulating how your body uses energy. It tells your body to break down fat for fuel and helps build muscle mass. This can be helpful for maintaining a healthy weight and composition.
Cell Regeneration: Somatropin even helps with cell regeneration and repair throughout the body. This contributes to overall health and well-being.
What are the Uses of the Somatropin Injection?
The uses of the Somatropin Injection are mainly in the human body when your body isn’t producing enough of this hormone on its own. Here are some of the main uses:
Childhood Growth Disorders: If a child has a condition that affects their growth hormone production, like Turner syndrome or Prader-Willi syndrome, somatropin injections can help them grow taller and reach a more normal height for their age.
Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency: For adults with a deficiency in natural growth hormone, somatropin injections can improve bone density and muscle mass. This can lead to increased strength, better overall function, and even more favorable body composition by reducing fat storage.
Specific Adult Conditions: In some cases, somatropin injections can be beneficial for adults with specific medical conditions. For instance, they can help some adults with HIV-related weight loss regain muscle and improve strength. Additionally, they may be used to treat short bowel syndrome in adults, a condition where the intestines have difficulty absorbing nutrients.
How to Use Somatropin Injection?
Somatropin injections are a prescription medication and should only be used under the guidance of a doctor. We can’t provide specific instructions on how to use them, as the process can vary depending on the brand and your doctor’s specific instructions.
However, here’s some general information to keep in mind:
Somatropin typically comes in prefilled syringes or cartridges.
You’ll inject it under the skin in your stomach, thigh, buttocks, or upper arm.
The injection schedule will depend on your specific condition and doctor’s orders. It might be daily or several times per week.
Here’s what you absolutely must do:
Never use somatropin injections without a doctor’s prescription and training.
Your doctor will show you the proper injection technique and answer any questions you have before you start treatment at home.
Follow your doctor’s instructions exactly regarding dosage, injection sites, and disposal of used needles and syringes.
What is the Price of the Somatropin Injection in Pakistan?
The price of Somatropin injections in Pakistan varies depending on the specific brand and dosage. Here are some price ranges for Somatropin injections in Pakistan:
Humatrope 15IU Injection: Approximately ₨ 26,000.
Norditropin Injection 4 IU: Around ₨ 14,000.00
Humatrope 24mg Injection: Priced at ₨ 15,000.00
What is the Recommended Dosage of Somatropin Injection?
The recommended dosage of Somatropin injection varies based on the specific condition being treated. Here are the typical dosages for different conditions:
For pediatric patients with Cachexia: The usual dosage is 0.04-0.07 mg/kg subcutaneously once a day.
For pediatric patients with Turner Syndrome: Up to 0.067 mg/kg subcutaneously once a day.
For adults with Human Growth Hormone Deficiency: The initial dose is not more than 0.004 mg/kg subcutaneously once a day.
For the treatment of HIV-associated wasting using Serostim®: The starting dose is 0.1 mg/kg once daily, with a total dose of 6 mg for patients weighing over 55 kg.
What are the Side Effects of the Somatropin Injection?
Somatropin injections can cause side effects, but it’s important to remember that not everyone experiences them, and the severity can vary. Here’s a breakdown of what to watch for:
Common side effects: These are usually mild and temporary. They might include aches and pains in your body, soreness at the injection site, or changes in sweating.
More serious side effects: While less common, some side effects require immediate medical attention. These include vision problems, trouble breathing, or signs of an allergic reaction.
Other potential side effects: Somatropin can also lead to changes in vision, bone pain, or skin problems at the injection site.
Is Somatropin Injection Use for Bodybuilding?
No, Somatropin injections aren’t recommended for bodybuilding here why.
Limited Muscle Gain: While some research suggests a possible increase in lean muscle mass with somatropin, the gains might not be significant and can be accompanied by fluid retention, not actual muscle growth.
Questionable Effectiveness: Many studies haven’t found strong evidence that somatropin alone significantly improves muscle strength or performance in healthy adults. It’s often used in combination with other drugs like steroids, which can be dangerous.
Significant Health Risks: Somatropin is a powerful hormone and misusing it can lead to serious health problems. These include increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, joint pain, and even cancer.
Is Somatropin Use for Weight Gain?
Yes, somatropin injection can be used to help patients with HIV gain weight. It is used to raise lean body mass and weight gain in patients with HIV-associated wasting.
Some key points about using somatropin for weight gain:
It is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin.
If stored in a refrigerator, let it come to room temperature before using.
Move the injection site with each shot.
Do not shake the solution.
Wash your hands before and after use.
Is Somatropin Use for IVF?
Somatropin injection is not commonly used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. The main uses of somatropin are:
To treat growth hormone deficiency in children and adults
To treat short bowel syndrome in adults
To prevent severe weight loss related to AIDS in adult
However, some studies have investigated using somatropin in women undergoing IVF, with mixed results:
A 2019 review found that some studies showed GH co-treatment during ovarian stimulation for IVF may improve outcomes in poor responders, but more research is needed.
A 1991 study found no significant difference in pregnancy rates with GH co-treatment during IVF.
A 1994 study found GH co-treatment did not improve IVF outcomes.
Is Somatropin use for hypopituitarism?
Yes, somatropin is used to treat hypopituitarism. Hypopituitarism is a condition where the pituitary gland does not produce enough hormones, including growth hormone.
In the context of hypopituitarism, somatropin is used to replace growth hormone in children and adults with growth hormone deficiency. It stimulates the growth of linear bone, skeletal muscle, and organs.
Is Somatropin Use for the Weight Loss?
No, somatropin is not used for weight loss.
Limited Impact on Fat Loss: Studies haven’t shown significant evidence that somatropin alone leads to substantial fat loss in healthy adults. While it might cause some decrease in fat mass, it’s often accompanied by muscle loss, which isn’t desirable for weight loss.
A review published in the Journal of Obesity found that HGH treatment in obese adults resulted in a small decrease in fat mass, but it was often accompanied by muscle loss.
Is Somatropin Use for Children?
Yes, somatropin is used to treat growth hormone deficiency in children.
Treating Growth Disorders: Somatropin can be a helpful treatment for children with conditions that affect their growth hormone production. Examples include Turner syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, and some chronic kidney diseases. In these cases, somatropin injections can help children grow taller and reach a more normal height for their age.
Not for General Growth Enhancement: It’s important to understand that somatropin is not a magic bullet for making children taller. It’s only prescribed for children with diagnosed growth hormone deficiencies or specific medical conditions that impact growth.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that somatropin treatment in children with growth hormone deficiency significantly improved their final adult height.
Is Somatropin Injection Safe?
Yes, somatropin injection is generally safe when used as prescribed by a healthcare professional.
Safe for Specific Conditions: When used under a doctor’s supervision for approved medical conditions, somatropin can be a safe and effective treatment. Examples include treating growth hormone deficiency in children or adults with specific medical conditions.
Not for Everyone: Somatropin is not appropriate for everyone. It can be risky for people with certain medical conditions like cancer or uncontrolled diabetes.
Where to Buy Somatropin Injection in Pakistan?
You can buy Somatropin injection from Online Pharmacy in Pakistan. Online Pharmacy covers varies a number of imported injections including Humatrope growth hormone injection.
When to Take Somatropin Injection?
The timing of your somatropin injections is a very important detail, but it’s not something you should decide on your own. Here’s why:
Tailored for You: The ideal injection schedule depends on your specific situation. Your doctor will consider your medical condition and how they want to treat it when determining the timing.
Frequency Matters: Somatropin injections might be needed daily or on specific days of the week, and the timing will be spaced out accordingly.
Where to Inject Somatropin Injection ?
When administering somatropin injection, it is important to rotate the injection site to avoid problems under the skin. The injection should be given subcutaneously (under the skin) in the following areas:
Stomach area (abdomen)
Upper arms
Upper legs (thighs)
Buttocks
How Long Does Somatropin Last?
There are two ways to think about how long somatropin lasts in your body: how long it’s active and how long it takes for your body to get rid of it completely. Here’s the breakdown:
Active Time: The effects of a somatropin injection usually last for 9 to 17 hours. This means the medication is actively affecting your growth hormone levels in your bloodstream for this period.
Elimination from Body: It takes your body longer to completely eliminate somatropin. The biological half-life, which is the time it takes for your body to get rid of half of the medication, is estimated to be around 20 to 30 minutes. This means after 20-30 minutes, half the medication is gone. It takes several more cycles (around 4-5 half-lives) for your body to get rid of most of the remaining somatropin.
