It depends on your goals. If your competing you are obviously taking more and need to monitor your BG and possible use other compounds which I don't know enough about to give proper advice. I won't touch insulin.
I used HGH (script) for 6 months and for a year before. Does it make you grow massive muscles at the amount I take - no. I used 1-3 IU a day. Keep in mind I am older and was trying to get my HGH back to what it would be if I was 20. Did I grow when I added it to the TRT - yes, but it is a long term commitment. If you can't afford quality HGH for 6 months, I wouldn't bother.
I listen to a competitor who has forgot more than I know about this topic and was a top competitor in Canada. In his words - do not take over 3 IU a day unless you are going to consider careful monitoring and insulin use. As for insulin use, I was not willing to go there so I used on average 2 IU. People who are taking 6-12 IU a day blindly without monitoring and the use of other compounds could end up with issues. Not the statement 'could' - I have no idea as everyone is different. I mostly used prescribed Serostim. That being said, many people say generic HGH works well so nothing against generics - it is a choice I made with GH years ago.
The main reason for taking it was injury prevention and injury healing. If you can work out harder and potentially more without injuries, that alone makes HGH worth it tome. That being said, I will not take for more than a year. I take a break, get blood work again and consider prescription HGH is F'n expensive if you don't have a script.
The concept you must take insulin to make HGH worth it - I don't agree. I love the stuff but it messes my sleep. It is like TRT for growth hormone as your levels go down as you age. It is a double edged sword - keep in mind this is an opinion based on reading / listening and I am not remotely close to a doctor. GH can not cause cancer but it will increase your IGF and if you get cancer, it is like throwing gas on the cancer and it grows faster, that is what I mean by double edged sword. Hence another reason why I use lower amounts but still monitor my blood glucose.
If you want long term benefits and know what you doing and will run the risk under the guidance of a reputable coach / buddy system - maybe HGH/Insulin is for you but I can't advise people on it. I only know the medical reason for using insulin well.
@entropy:
"What worries me the most is acromegaly. When would you start seeing this and at what dose? Been keeping tabs on my fingers and jaw.
Is the gut growth a myth? Is it the result of super high doses with insulin? Or eating 10k calories a day? Or a combination of all?"
I
don't think your going to experience that issue unless you are really stepping on the gas. Gut growth is not a myth. Keep in mind I am writing from speaking with multiple guys who use it. They have what is referred to as GH gut. It sticks out, can still me ripped and hard as rock but guys who have used large amounts for long periods can chime in with more knowledge.