Testosterone and growth hormone normalization: a retrospective study of health outcomes

Original Research

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Authors: Enrique Ginzburg, Alvin Lin, Michael Sigler, Denise Olsen, Nancy Klimas, Alan Mintz

Published Date September 2008 Volume 2008:1 Pages 79 - 86

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S4044

Enrique Ginzburg¹, Alvin Lin², Michael Sigler¹, Denise Olsen², Nancy Klimas¹, Alan Mintz²

¹University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA; ²Cenegenics^® Medical Institute, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Background: Age-related declines in testosterone and growth hormone (GH) are associated with increased adiposity and decreases in lean mass and bone mineral density (BMD). A long-term retrospective study examined the effects of testosterone and/or GH supplementation on body composition and quality of life (QoL).

Methods: A database survey assessed the records of 91 men and 97 women (ages 25–82) in treatment groups based on their hormonal status: dehydroepiandrosterone but no hormonal supplementation (control); testosterone only (Tes); GH only (GH); and testosterone plus GH (Tes+GH). Pre- and post-treatment assessments recorded changes in fat and lean mass, BMD, and QoL.

Results: After an average of 3 years of treatment, weight decreased in women in the control and Tes+GH groups but remained stable in men in all groups. Tes and Tes+GH produced statistically significant increases in lean mass, reductions in fat mass, and improvements in BMD in both sexes; GH produced similar changes in women. QoL and mood improved in all groups. Treatments were generally safe and well tolerated.

Conclusions: In this retrospective survey, treatment with testosterone and/or GH was associated with favorable effects in men and women across a wide age range.

Keywords: testosterone, growth hormone, body composition, quality of life

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