In Age Management medicine, human growth hormone has a place in treatment for conditions of deficiency. In the older adult an IGF1 < 175 accompanied with signs/symptoms of aging are the criteria to treat and improve many of these contitions. In review sign/symptoms of aging include fatigue, decreasing energy, diminishing drive for activity, socialization, memory impairment, poor sleeping, thinning hair, wrinkling, loose skin, centripetal fat deposition, decreasing strength, cardiovascular disease, decreased bone mass, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance. Generally, it is the signs and symptoms of aging with age related diseases. The benefits of growth hormone replacement include improved vitality, cardiovascular function, improved lipolysis and helps to reverse the signs/symptoms of aging towards health and vitality.
Growth hormone is titrated in slowly via injection daily for optimal range per blood work. Blood levels fluctuate throughout the day and requires blood work to be done at different times for safety in dosing. This is a critical aspect in compliance on the patient's part to contribute to their health. The blood work is evaluated and dosing adjustments are made for optimal IGF1 ranges. Growth hormone is safe, there is not a study in the literature that negates it; although, it is one of the most feared and under known of hormones. The only contraindication to growth hormone is cancer. One reason why patients are screened with history and physical exam along with blood work and advanced testing for risk factors before being administered growth hormone. Patients must keep up with their current mandatory testing and screening for cancer yearly including, PSA, prostate exam, mammogram, and pap smear. Colonoscopy is a must baseline and as recommended by gastroenterology for frequency in follow up colonoscopies.
Anyone over 50 years old who has been on hormone supplementation and still feeling signs/symptoms after six months of therapy are candidates for growth hormone if their IGF1 is < 175 and determined by their health care provider. Growth hormone is a healing hormone often used in burns and trauma. It is elective in age management medicine, because it is not medically necessary therefore insurance does not cover it. If it wasn't so costly, more elderly patients would be using it.
Side effects associated with growth hormone administration include edema, insulin sensitivities, and carpal tunnel syndrome. These side effects are easily corrected with dosing adjustments from the provider. What is important to know is growth hormone does not cause cancer but if someone has a cancer and takes growth hormone then the cancer will grow. Again, that is why careful screening, with history and physical, lab work and advanced testing is critical to health and safety before growth hormone administration. Elderly patients who are interested in growth hormone must see an age management provider.
Disclaimer: Patients are to be under the care of a physician or nurse practitioner trained in Age Management Medicine for safety and improvement in health and well being.
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