HGH 191AA

Key points

• HGH 191AA is somatropin, a laboratory made copy of human growth hormone with its full 191 amino acid sequence.
• It is a licensed, prescription only medicine in the UK for growth hormone deficiency and certain other conditions.
• Using it for muscle, fat loss or anti ageing without a medical need is off the licensed use and carries real risks.
• It is prohibited in sport at all times.

Quick facts

What it is

Recombinant human growth hormone (somatropin), 191 amino acids

Licensed use

Growth hormone deficiency and certain conditions

UK status

Licensed, prescription only medicine

Misuse

Muscle and anti ageing use is off licence and risky

In sport

Prohibited at all times

How it works

Growth hormone acts on tissues throughout the body and prompts the liver to produce IGF-1, which carries out many of its effects on growth, muscle and metabolism. As a medicine, somatropin replaces growth hormone in people who do not make enough. Taking it when levels are already normal pushes the system beyond its natural range, which is where the risks come in.

What the evidence shows

In genuine growth hormone deficiency, somatropin is well established and effective, supporting growth in children and metabolism in adults who lack it. For healthy adults seeking muscle or anti ageing effects, the evidence does not support meaningful benefit, and studies in older people have shown side effects outweighing any gains.

What it does not settle

• There is no good evidence of worthwhile benefit in healthy people without a deficiency.
• Long term risks of use without medical need, including on blood sugar and tissue growth, are a real concern.
• Products bought online are often counterfeit or wrongly dosed.

Side effects

Common

• Fluid retention, joint and muscle aches, and tingling or numbness in the hands.
• Raised blood sugar and reduced insulin sensitivity.

Less common but serious

• Long term excess can enlarge tissues and the heart, raise the risk of diabetes, and is a theoretical concern for cancer growth.
• It is avoided in active cancer and certain other conditions, and products from unregulated sellers add the risks of a counterfeit or contaminated product.

Report any suspected side effect through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

UK legal status and access

Somatropin is a licensed prescription only medicine in the UK, prescribed by a specialist after proper assessment and dispensed as a licensed product. Vials sold online as HGH 191AA for research use are of unverified quality and are often counterfeit.

Common questions