Saturday Quack – Growth Hormone, Yet Again!

I make no apology for raising this topic again. Too many older men (and women) are spend their money and risking unpleasant, maybe severe, side effects in their search for the ‘elixir of life’ – a substance that will keep them young for evermore. Human growth hormone is supposed to fill this role, according to the Internet ads.

Four months ago we summarized the results of a meta-analysis showing that 18 well-controlled clinical studies were unable to show any benefits, but plenty of side effects.

There has not been much new scientific information since then, except for a session on the use of humans growth hormone in adults held at the recent American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists meeting. But there has been plenty of activity by the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. This organization is run by Klatz and Goldman who, according to the New York Times, have failed to achieve recognition from the American Medical Association or the American Board of Medical Specialities. Klatz and Goldman got their doctoral degrees from ‘distance learning programs’ (actually, Belize ). Their academy is organizing 30 conferences or events around the world in 2007, and has a large following among doctors wishing to climb on the bandwagon. The market for drugs to ‘control and treat diseases of aging’ is expected to reach $70 billion by 2009; at $1,000 a month human growth hormone will make its contribution – and the prescribing doctors will get theirs. . .