Human Growth Hormone information

Also known as

Other names:

• Human growth hormone, somatotropin, somatropin

Brand names:

• Genotropin®
• Humatrope®
• Norditropin®
• Nutropin®
• Saizen®
• Zomacton®
• Omnitrope®

Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval

Human growth hormone (somatropin) is approved by the TGA for use in prescription medicines.

World Anti-Doping Code Prohibited List 2025

Human growth hormone is listed on the WADA Prohibited List under S2.2 Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substance and Mimetics. It is prohibited at all times – both In and Out of Competition.

This substance meets at least two of the following three criteria, as determined by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

• It has the potential to enhance or does enhance sports performance
• It poses an actual or potential health risk to the athlete
• It violates the spirit of sport (as defined in The Code).

The Prohibited List is updated yearly after consultation with scientific, medical, and anti-doping experts to ensure that it aligns with the latest medical and scientific evidence and doping trends.

What is it?

Growth hormone (GH) is a naturally occurring hormone released from the anterior pituitary gland that promotes protein, lipid and carbohydrate metabolisation. Human-growth-hormones (HGH) are critical for growth regulation in children, with levels at their highest during childhood, spiking at puberty, and then decreasing with age.

How does it work?

The release of GH is initiated by the hypothalamus within the brain. When activated, the hypothalamus will release growth-hormone releasing hormone (GHRH), which in turn stimulates secretion of GH from the anterior pituitary gland, into the bloodstream.

GH directly increases the growth of cartilage and bone. GH also promotes the secretion of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) from the liver into the bloodstream and similarly promotes the metabolism and growth of peripheral tissue.

Uses

GH is widely used in treatment of congenital and acquired growth disorders and growth hormone deficiency, usually due to problems with the pituitary gland. The appeal of GH is for both the anabolic and lipolytic properties, which promotes lean muscle mass and reduction of fat respectively.

Adverse health effects and risk

There is many health risks associated with inappropriate use of GH including acromegaly (enlarging of hand, feet, face and bones due to high levels of HGH), high blood pressure, liver damage and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

GH also opposes the actions of insulin, and in healthy individuals, increased levels of GH can lead to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. There is also growing evidence linking high levels of GH with various types of cancer.

What if an athlete has been prescribed Human Growth Hormone for a medical condition?

If you are prescribed GH by a medical practitioner, you may be eligible for a TUE.

The TUE application must include a detailed clinical letter from the treating specialist and copies of any relevant investigations. 

For more information:

• Medical Evidence Needed
• Therapeutic Use Exemptions.