Doctors' Answers to "Frequently Asked Questions" - Growth

These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.

Human growth hormone shots [posted 1/7/99]
Question: How can I locate doctors who are including HGH injections in their practice?

Answer: Call all the endocrinologists and check which ones would do this.

Growth Hormone [posted 11/10/98]
Question:I am 50 years old and have been suffering from ME/CFS for 3 years. I have tested positive (by PCR)for a new entervirus at 6 month intervals. I have also recently discovered that I am very deficient in Growth Hormone and have significantly low total blood volume, low plasma volume and low red cell volume. I have found studies linking low blood volume to ME/CFS and low growth hormone to low blood volume. I'm looking for an endocrinologist who has suggestions for treatment.

Answer: Well, some have treated this with hormones to raise red cell volume and mass. I would refer you to a paper by Streeten in the New England Journal about 3-4 years ago. I have treated several patients with epigen with mixed results;but, generally feeling better. However, getting insurance to pay is another issue. I have not seen studies of growth hormone replacement.

Can I Still Take Growth Hormones? [posted 10/8/98]
Question: I am 5 4inch, 26 years old, male I would like to know if growth hormones can still work for me. are there any side effects? what is the type of doctor do I have to go and see who specialize in that field.

Answer: Probably not at the age of 26.

Can I Still Take Growth Hormones? [posted 10/6/98]
Question:I am 5 4inches, 27 years old. I have tried to email several doctors, but go no response. I am hoping this time I get a response back. I would like to know, if it is too late for me to take any prescribe growth hormones to grow a 2-4 inch tall. What type of doctors do I have to see? Are there any side effects? Thank you!!

Answer: I'm not sure if Anand is male or female. Anyway, males can take growth hormone with results to about the early 20s, females til about one year after their period.

Can I Still Grow?
Question: I am a 22 years old Asian female. I would want to know at my age, can I still grow and if I can, how? please help me.

Answer: Once the growth plates are closed there will be no further growth. For women this usually happens about 1-2 years after the start of menarche(periods starting). At 22, it is probably too late to have any effects with any medical treatment.

Growth Hormones & Steriods
Question: I have a "FRIEND" who has purchased "Humatrope" or "Somatropina" growth hormone. He plans on stacking GH with Deca Durobolin and Primoteston(androgen). The use on the two Anabolic steroids is not in question...but the use of the growth hormone is. He is 24 years old and plans on taking a split dosage of 2 IU of Somatropina twice a week. I think my "FRIEND" is playing with just a little too much fire. What possible serious life threatening side effects can be considered and what consequences does using GH play on a healthy adult for the use of body building?

Answer: Use of growth hormone after the growth plates close is significantly different than before the growth plates close. Actually, a major complaint of patients with acromegaly(overproduction of growth hormone) is weakness. The bones tend to enlarge more than the muscles(adding weight but, not strength). Look up the symptoms of acromegaly in a medical textbook if you don't believe me. Use of growth hormone before closure of growth plates (about 16 in women and about 20-22 in men) will produce height improvement and muscle growth;but, not after the closure of the growth plates. A list of general symptoms are fatigue, somnolence, weight gain, heat intolerance, coarsening of facial features, decreased libido, heart failure, kidney stones and joint pains.


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