Somatropin and somatotropin are two forms of actual human growth hormone (HGH). Somatotropin is HGH naturally produced and secreted by the somatotropin cells of the anterior pituitary gland in the brain. This hormone or enzyme is capable of accelerating cell function and stimulating the changes necessary for bone growth in children, as well as for growth and recovery. Children with low levels of the hormone will develop below the statue and at a slower rate than their peers. As people age and go through puberty, somatotropin production declines over time. Many of the negative effects associated with “aging” have been linked to the natural decline in the production of this hormone.
Somatotropin functions include increased healing and recovery from exertion, calcium retention in the bones, increased bone size, stimulates cellular activity, increases the use of fat in the body, increases protein formation, and increases the absorption of sugar by the cells of the body. The hormone is used to treat people with low HGH levels, anti-aging in older adults, and loss of fat and muscle in athletes. HGH seems to give older adults a boost in energy levels and reduce some effects of aging. Athletes use the drug to recover from workouts, heal faster from injury, maintain muscle, and decrease fat levels. In the United States, this medication requires a prescription to use. Most adult treatments of the drug are not FDA-approved, but are sometimes prescribed for off-label use.
Somatropin is the name given to an artificially synthesized version of this drug. Made by alterations to the cells’ DNA, the cells can produce an enzyme identical to that which occurs naturally in humans. This recombinant version prevents some serious side effects associated with the use of somatropin extracted from a foreign source. Somatropin is still a protein molecule and as such will be digested if taken orally. Therefore, this treatment must be given by injection, which can make it painful. This is the current source of all prescription HGH being used for treatment at this time. The previous method required anterior pituitary cells that were not easy to obtain. The artificial enzyme has reduced the cost of the treatment and made it available to a much wider population. Somatropin is sometimes abbreviated hGH to distinguish it from somatotropin.
Somatropin is identical to the human enzyme and works the same in the body. HGH is still illegal in most organized sports activities, such as the Olympics. Until recently, it was impossible to detect whether the HGH in the blood was natural or synthesized. However, in recent years, using markers common to the cells used to make somatropin, it is now possible to detect at least some artificial HGH with blood tests, although the testing procedure has not yet been perfected.
Most HGH-releasing products and supplements, including HGH sprays, are allowed for athletic competition as they do not contain somatropin or significant amounts of somatotropin. For more information on HGH supplements and how they differ from somatropin, visit http://www.sytropin.com/somatotropin.html