Q: Are my legal risks for growth hormone the same as for steroids? A: Human growth hormone (hGH) is a natural hormone produced in the human body by the pituitary gland. It's available as a synthetically produced injectable drug, and has become a popular but expensive medication prescribed in anti-aging therapies and in the treatment of AIDS-related wasting. Bodybuilders may illicitly self-administer hGH to improve size and strength, usually by subcutaneous injection into the lower abdomen. Excessive or high-dose use can lead to significant or even dangerous side effects, like acromegaly (bone growth of the feet, jaw, forehead, etc.) and enlargement of the internal organs. Some of the brand names currently available are Genotropin®, Humatrope®, Nutropin®, Protropin®, Saizen®, Serostim® and Somatotropin®. Counterfeit products containing no real hGH have been identified on the black market, and have even shown up on pharmacy ...