Saturday Quack – Human Growth Hormone, Again

Almost a year ago we warned visitors to these pages that there was no scientific evidence that human growth hormone prolongs life, but that clinical studies in different indications were ongoing; on the other hand, side effects had been identified. Now there’s a review in the Annals of Internal Medicine by Stanford University researchers that covers 18 randomized, controlled clinical trials and 220 participants, where growth hormone was compared with no treatment or lifestyle interventions. Studies of specific illnesses were not included.

The average study participant was 69 and overweight (BMI 28). The average dose was 14 micrograms per kg body weight given for 27 weeks. The following changes were found: decreased overall fat mass by 4½ pounds and increased lean body mass by the same amount. There was a significantly increased risk of soft tissue swelling, arthritic pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and gynecomastia (enlargement of the male breast). Moreover, there was a trend towards diabetes and raised fasting blood sugar. However, there were no effects which suggest that growth hormone prolongs life.

Although not approved for this indication, growth hormone is widely sold and used as an anti-aging drug. In these studies the changes in body composition were considered unimportant, whereas the side effects were frequent. The benefits don’t outweigh the safety issues, and are certainly not worth the $1,000 a month that the treatment costs.

Comments

[RD]

14mcgs is twice that of earlier published research on rhGH. At that type of dose one is bound to have the side effects listed. No one should believe that hGH is a fountain of youth, however, it has helped many people from fibromyalsia to HIV to osteoperosis.

[gerovital h3]

This hormone is very dangerous and can cause very serious disease