Conversely, if the electricians are short in manpower and in trying to make do, leave bare wires in contact with water pipes, they jeopardize the work of the plumbers. Another grave understatement.

And so it is for the hormones in the body. The body is designed to have the hormones work with one another in a grand harmony. When one is not at an optimal level, others may suffer in their performance, even to where their levels in the body are diminished.

We have seen that HGH, working throughout the body to confer a more youthful physiology, is often capable of assisting in the elevation of other hormonal levels in the body. However, in cases of serious hormone depletion, and where more intensive measures are needed, the replacement of a specific hormone - and even more than one - may be indicated.

When used appropriately, under medical supervision, the effects of hormone replacement therapy will be comparable to that of increasing the number of plumbers or electricians doing maintenance work in the building - it will supply enough of them to do the job properly. With sufficient numbers of tradesmen, water pipes will not be left leaking but will be repaired; electrical wires will not be left bare but will be taped over or replaced. Similarly, with sufficient levels of all the hormones in operation, the otherwise healthy body will function as it should, without problems.

Unlike HGH, whose levels can be raised safely through the use of secretogogues (without danger of the level being raised unnaturally high), these other hormones should be used only under strict medical supervision.

The intent of replacement therapy is replacement - not in raising the levels higher than normal to achieve some superhuman effect.

The desired objective is to achieve optimal levels for all hormones, to have them working in balance and harmony, not to artificially jack up this one or that one, as has unfortunately been the case with some "athletes". The objective of attaining ideal levels will be best achieved under the close supervision of a medical doctor. To prevent unwise self medication, a number of these hormones are available only by prescription.