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- $Unique_ID{BRK01859}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Human Growth Hormone: Magic Youth Drug?}
- $Subject{hormone hormones age aged aging reduce reduced reducing effect
- effects human humans grow growth side testosterone male males treatment
- treatments benefit benefits weight gain gains increase increased lean body
- bodies mass magic youth drug fountain growth-hormone age aging}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
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- Copyright (c) 1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- Human Growth Hormone: Magic Youth Drug?
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- QUESTION: My older sister wrote to tell me that she had read about a new
- hormone that was discovered and was now of much use in reducing the effects of
- aging. She suggested that I ask my doctor about this, but neither he nor my
- pharmacist have ever heard of this. Can you tell me what this is all about
- and how I may obtain some of this for myself and my sister? I suppose there
- might be a few other people who might also be pleased to find this information
- in your health column. Thank you.
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- ANSWER: Though I agree that there are many who would be interested in such a
- treatment, I am afraid the news is not all that encouraging. The tests are
- still going on according to the last reports, but more than half of the
- individuals enrolled in the test of human growth hormone have dropped out
- because of unacceptable side effects. These included carpal tunnel syndrome
- (which causes pain in the wrist), breast development in men, and diabetes.
- All of the subjects in this test were men, and the test involving women
- volunteers is yet to be reported.
- Both human growth hormone and testosterone (male hormone) are being
- studied, as testosterone (at about $35 a year) is far less expensive than
- growth hormone treatment, which could cost as much as $35,000 for the quantity
- of hormone needed for a year's treatment. While some benefits were noted,
- including weight gain and increased lean body mass, much of the beneficial
- effects disappeared after three months when the drug was discontinued. The
- use of these drugs in this fashion is still strictly experimental, and are not
- obtainable from either a physician or pharmacist, so it is easy to understand
- why your contacts were unaware of them. If there is a magic youth drug,
- research scientists are in the same boat as Ponce de Leon was when he sought
- the fountain of youth and are still searching.
-
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-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-