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

Abstract

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

Disclosures

The Cenegenics Education and Research Foundation funded this study. Affiliated with the organization areAlvin Lin, MD, Cenegenics^® Medical Institute physician; Denise Olsen, RN, manager of Cenegenics’ Quality Assurance and Research Department; Alan Mintz, MD, cofounder of Cenegenics^® Medical Institute.