Human growth hormone has a few documented side effects for both healthy adults and growth hormone deficient adults taking growth hormone include:

Conditions related to fluid retention, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, swollen tissues in the wrist that can cause weakness or pain

Pain and stiffness in other joints and muscles

Swelling of the legs

High blood pressure

Heart failure

Bloating

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Most of these human growth hormone side effects and symptoms ease or disappear when growth hormone doses are reduced.

HGH critics “fear” that people taking growth hormone who aren’t closely monitored may take too large of an amount. This could put them at risk of a condition called acromegaly.

Indicators of acromegaly include a protruding brow or lower jaw and enlarged hands or feet. Doctors who support growth hormone treatment for aging say they don’t prescribe doses high enough to approach the levels found in acromegaly.