The Heavens Declare His Handiwork

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Thomas Lee Abshier, ND
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Naturopathic Physician

Christian Counselor

Political Philosopher & Author

 

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Marriage & Personal Counseling

Medical Consultations

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1414 NE 109th Ave.

Portland, Oregon

(503) 255-9500
drthomas@naturedox.com
 

hGH
Human Growth Hormone Therapy
It has been called the Anti-Aging Hormone

 

hGH therapy does not stop aging or prevent death, but its deficiency produces symptoms because tissues without stimulation by hGH will atrophy.  Human Growth Hormone (hGH) is produced by the pituitary, under the influence of the Hypothalamus.  hGH stimulates the release of IGF1 from the liver, which then affects target organs and tissues throughout the body.  Growth Hormone and IGF1 both affect receptor sites on the surface of cells which trigger various metabolic processes.  

 

hGH secretion and levels naturally diminishes with age, resulting in the attendant loss of youthful muscles, skin, joints, mental acuity, sexual desire and performance.  hGH can be administered by injection or orally.  hGH is secreted in pulses by the pituitary and stays in the bloodstream for only a short time, and thus cannot be easily measured directly.  Serum IGF1 levels are used as the surrogate laboratory markers of IGF1 therapy.  

 

Some symptoms that may be related to hGH deficiency:

• Wrinkles, skin elasticity
• Muscle atrophy
• Joint weakness
• Libido low
• Hair loss
• Fingernail weakness
• Immune deficiency (cold/flu resistance)
• Menstrual and menopausal symptoms
• Fatigue
• Cholesterol excess
• Fat accumulation

 

Obtaining hGH:

• Call for an appointment.  
• Fill out General Intake Form and forward to me.
• Come in for visit.  
• Go to lab for blood draw to test IGF1
• Return to clinic for consultation and prescription
• Return to clinic for retesting of serum IGF1 every 6 months

 

Dosing regimen:

• Each week: take hGH for 5 days, and take two days off
• Take continuously at this dosing regimen for 6 months
• At the end of 6 months, discontinue treatment for one month
• Resume original dosing regimen

 

Therapeutic Response:

• Patients often report an improvement of symptoms for about 4 months, and then level off in their improvement for a period of time.  After a period of a few months they may then notice additional symptom improvement.

 

Side Effects and precautions:

• HGH activates the formation of blood glucose.  If dosing above physiologic levels, hGH can raise blood sugar levels.  Thus, patients with diabetes or metabolic syndrome should be careful taking hGH.  
• If taken above physiologic doses for long periods of times hGH can cause joint pain, because hGH stimulates the growth and strength of joint tissue.  This is a good effect for those with weak bones and joints, but taken to excess it will cause problems.
• The side effects of hGH are the effects of overdosing.  Thus, the treatment goals should be to return the levels of hGH to normal, rather than to take a large amount to produce athletic prowess or youth.
• hGH therapy is only effective as long as it is being administered, and the benefits of therapy will slowly recede after stopping its use.  Thus, hGH therapy is not a cure, only a symptomatic relief for some symptoms.

 

 

Naturopathic Medicine - the Holistic Healing Paradigm

Including: Orthomolecular, Functional, Herbal & Homeopathic Medicine

Goal: Restoring the Body’s God Given Pattern of Health
Method: Removing the Resistance to Cure, and
Proper Nutrition, Lifestyle, Relationship, & Body Mechanics

Diagnosis: Lab & Clinical Indications of Errors of Metabolism, Lifestyle, and Genetics