Does Milk Have HGH in It? Separating Fact From Fiction

December 29, 2025 •

3 min read

According to a 2014 USDA survey, fewer than one in six cows were being injected with the synthetic hormone rBGH, but many still wonder: Does milk have HGH in it and is it safe? The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no, involving a closer look at both naturally occurring and synthetic hormones in dairy.

Quick Summary

Milk contains natural bovine growth hormone, but it is species-specific and inactive in humans. Any trace amounts of natural or synthetic growth hormones are rendered harmless by digestion. Regulatory bodies confirm milk's safety, though the use of supplemental hormones remains controversial in some contexts.

Key Points

No Human Growth Hormone: The growth hormone in cow's milk is bovine (bGH), which is species-specific and has no biological effect on humans when consumed orally.
Digestion Inactivates Hormones: The human digestive system breaks down any residual bGH or rBGH into inactive amino acids, preventing it from affecting the body.
rBGH is a Synthetic Hormone: Recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) is a lab-made version of bGH used to boost milk production, but its use is banned in many countries and has declined in the U.S..
IGF-1 Elevation is Minimal: While rBGH can increase levels of IGF-1 in milk, the amount is negligible compared to the IGF-1 your own body produces.
Health Organizations Confirm Safety: Major health organizations, including the FDA and WHO, state that milk from both treated and untreated cows is safe to drink.
Organic Milk Prohibits Synthetic Hormones: USDA organic standards ban the use of synthetic growth hormones like rBGH, offering an option for consumers concerned about these practices.

The Science Behind Hormones in Milk

To understand the presence of human growth hormone (HGH) in milk, it is crucial to first clarify a few key scientific distinctions. The growth hormone naturally present in cow's milk is bovine somatotropin (bST), or bovine growth hormone (bGH), not human growth hormone. This is a critical point of confusion. All milk, from all mammals, contains hormones because these chemical messengers are vital for biological functions like lactation and reproduction. However, the biologically active form of bGH is species-specific and has no effect on humans when consumed orally.

How Your Body Processes Bovine Growth Hormone

The protein structure of bovine growth hormone is the reason it is biologically inactive in humans. It is not recognized by human hormone receptors and is destroyed during the digestive process, broken down into its constituent amino acids. This occurs whether you drink raw milk or pasteurized milk, although the heat treatment of pasteurization does break down a significant portion of the hormone even before consumption. The notion that bGH from milk can somehow enter your bloodstream and affect your body is scientifically unfounded.

The Impact of Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH)

Much of the public concern around growth hormones in milk stems from the use of recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH), also known as rBST. This is a synthetic version of the natural bGH, which was developed to increase milk production in cows. While approved for use in the United States, its use is banned in many other countries, including the European Union and Canada, due to concerns over animal welfare. Milk from cows treated with rBGH may have slightly higher levels of another hormone, Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1), but the increase is not considered significant enough to pose a risk to human health, according to major health organizations.

Comparison: Conventional vs. Organic Milk

When considering dairy and hormones, consumers often compare conventional and organic products. Here is a comparison highlighting the key differences in relation to growth hormones and animal practices:


Feature	Conventional Milk	Organic Milk
Use of Synthetic Hormones (rBGH)	Permitted, but many dairy producers have voluntarily stopped.	Prohibited by USDA organic standards.
Natural Bovine Growth Hormone (bGH)	Present in all milk, levels can be higher in milk from cows treated with rBGH.	Present in all milk, but typically at lower levels consistent with a cow's natural biological cycle.
Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1)	Higher levels are often associated with rBGH use, though still minimal compared to human production.	Levels are lower than in conventional milk and within natural biological variance.
Antibiotic Use	Permitted and more common, potentially leading to residue concerns.	Prohibited. Emphasis is placed on preventative care.
Animal Welfare	Practices can vary widely between farms.	Standards require year-round outdoor access and humane treatment.

Understanding the IGF-1 Issue

One of the most persistent myths surrounding milk and hormones involves IGF-1. While it is true that milk contains IGF-1 and levels can be elevated with rBGH treatment, it's essential to put this into perspective. A 2011 study showed that consuming 50 grams of soy protein daily increased blood IGF-1 levels by 21 micrograms per liter. The rise in blood IGF-1 from drinking milk is minor in comparison. Furthermore, the human digestive tract contains much higher concentrations of IGF-1 than milk, and the hormone is broken down during digestion just like bGH.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict on HGH in Milk

Milk does not contain active HGH that can affect humans. The growth hormone present in milk is species-specific and is broken down by the digestive process. While the use of synthetic rBGH in some conventional dairy farming can slightly elevate IGF-1 levels, these increases are considered insignificant by leading health organizations. Whether you choose conventional or organic milk, the consensus from the FDA, WHO, and other experts is that milk is a safe and nutritious food. The decision between conventional and organic often depends on consumer preferences regarding animal welfare, synthetic hormone use, and a desire to minimize potential residue exposure, not significant human health risks. For more details on regulatory oversight, the FDA's website offers comprehensive information.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, milk does not contain human growth hormone (HGH). It contains bovine growth hormone (bGH), which is specific to cows and has no biological effect on humans.

rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone) is a synthetic, lab-made version of the natural bovine growth hormone (bGH) that some farmers use to increase milk production. Natural bGH is produced organically by the cow.

Pasteurization does destroy a portion of the bovine growth hormone. However, even in raw milk, the hormone is inactive in humans because it is broken down during digestion.

Yes. Organic milk standards prohibit the use of synthetic rBGH. Some studies have found higher levels of bGH and IGF-1 in conventional milk, likely due to the use of synthetic hormones, although the difference is not considered a health risk.

There is no credible scientific evidence that the trace amounts of hormones in milk cause health issues like early puberty or cancer in humans. Multiple studies and health organizations have debunked these claims.

The protein-based hormones from milk are digested and broken down into amino acids by the human digestive system. They do not enter the bloodstream intact or become biologically active.

This label indicates the milk comes from cows not treated with the synthetic rBGH. The FDA requires a disclaimer on these labels, stating there is no significant difference between milk from treated and untreated cows.