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The Growth Hormone FAQ
- Thread starter mvmaxx
- Start date
Originally posted by The Man Child on www.EliteFitness.com
Also - information taken from ironmaster posts
True Story on Growth Hormone by Death On The Field
Growth Hormone
Rating: (1 being the lowest, 5 being the highest)
Strength-4
Weight Gain-4
Fat Loss-4
Side Effects-2
Keep Gains--4
Side Effects:
Hypoglycemia- due to lowered insulin levels.
Aromeglia- (abnormal bone growth) GH does not cause it, but if you are predisposed to it, it will speed it up.
GH gut- if predisposed and taking large doses of GH
Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
Soreness in Joints
Benefits of GH:
New Muscle Cells
Mood Enhancement
Smoothing and improving the skin
Leanness, it is a potent fat burner
Joint and ligament strengthening
Where to Inject, How, and How to Make:
You can site inject anywhere you can reach the subcutaneous layer. Pinch the flesh and pull back, then insert the needle in the "pocket" underneath. Doesn't absorb quick enough if you inject into the adipose tissue. Do not inject intra-muscular, though it can be done, it is not recommended. GH is a site injection, where it is shot is where it will burn the most noticeable fat. Most people do it in the stomach since that is a typical sub q shot with most of the fat being in that area. GH should be kept in a fridge; freezing will destroy the GH. On your kit it probably says to use the kit in 18-24 hours, remember these are for AIDS patients, not bodybuilders or athletes. Mixing the GH can either be done with sterile water or bacteriostic water. The kit with water will be fine for 3 days in the fridge, even with the sterile water, but you should not take this chance, rather you should use bacteriostic water and play it safe. This will keep it fine for a couple of weeks. When mixing the GH, let the water slide down the side as to not pulverize the GH wafer. Do not spray it directly against the wafer with any force. Before reconstitution and even after GH is fragile!!! Also once the water is injected into the bottle gently swirl the vial to reconstitute, do not shake or swirl violently!!!!
Conversions:
1 ml = 1 cc -/+
100 units per 1 cc
6 mg = 18iu
1 ml = 18iu
.50 ml = 9iu
.25 ml = 4.5iu
Some people choose to only do it in cc’s but here is how you can do it in units on a slin dart
5.5 = 1iu, so 2iu = 11 on a slin dart
Differences Between Kits:
The main difference between kits is how many iu’s they make when reconstituted. For example, Serostim re-constitutes to make 126iu, while a Saizen kit.... also made by Serono.... makes up 15iu. Another of their kits makes 54iu. It better be way cheaper than a Serostim kit! Humatrope is fine, but costs too much. The other main concern would be fakes; Lilly is the most often faked one. Some older GH kits do not have holograms on them and are legit, but they are usually only less than 100 dollars than new GH kits with holograms, and I would rather be assured of the hologram and legitimacy of the kit. Best buy currently is Serostim 126 iu kits. These are made for people with wasting diseases like AIDs. Many of these patients got infected because they are IV drug addicts..........they sell the Serostim on the street for drug money.
Dose:
4 to 6 iu ed is sufficient. Most people take it 5 days on 2 days off at their designated dosage. There is no reason or evidence why you cannot stay on for various lengths of time; there is no need to go 5 on 2 off other than cost. Considering that our natural production is only .5 to 1.5iu a day, this is still a huge bump for the body. Research has shown that the body's natural defense systems render mega doses of GH ineffective, anyway. GH does not cause gains in mass...it allows you to put on a great deal of lean mass in combination with proper steroid and insulin use. The user before taking must know this. One or two kits are not enough, you need at least 3 to make you happy, GH takes a while to make its effects, but remember they are long lasting, what you see is what you keep. It takes 6 to 8 weeks to notice a dramatic change in body comp using GH on an ED or 5/2 split. Lighter doses for long periods of time are better than large doses for short cycles. Like any other drug, the more you take the more the benefits, but likewise also more risks. 4-6 iu is a standard dose but many people take more, the most repulsing side effects happen at or beyond 12 iu a day but like anything else it depends on your predisposition for it.
How to Stack:
GH is best taken in conjunction with insulin, anabolic steroids, and t3. Insulin is extremely effective with GH, as anyone here who has tried it will testify. This is because GH injections cause a down regulation of insulin sensitivity in the body.
GH alone causes little growth of lean mass, however, when combined with insulin and steroids (and IGF-1 if you can find it), the results can be down right remarkable...esp. in the older bodybuilder. Start light with the humulin...5iu...and work up 1 iu a day till you get use to it. 7 to 10iu in the AM and 7 to 10 iu in the late afternoon, with split doses of GH is your best bet. When splitting GH/insulin doses, I use mid-morning and late afternoon after lifting.... both flat times in our natural GH production. The insulin overcomes the insulin-resistance caused by exogenous GH supplementation. If you are scared to take insulin thought, then Gh with Test and Glucophage is good. GH is good for cutting if used alone. Glucophage allows for improved glucose and amino acid absorption by the muscle tissue and does it safely. This is what you want. The half-life of GH is only 2 hours so spread it out. Avoid bedtime injections since we produce the bulk of our own GH in the first two hours of sleep. Since exogenous GH suppresses this, you should not take it before bed. For best results, use a 17aa oral during the cycle to stimulate the release of natural insulin growth factors. I would run the test throughout. GH/insulin/test is the proven synergistic combination.
It is also wise to preload with testosterone before starting GH if you are going to do it. You should preload with the amount of time it takes for that testosterone to kick in, since most of us take longer acting esters for testosterone you should usually start taking the test 2 weeks before GH use. Likewise, you can accommodate it to fit your needs; the key is for the test to be kicking in the same time you are starting to run your GH. You can cycle you steroids however you want to depending on your goals, if you are going for a more massive look than you would run insulin for most of the cycle and use high androgens, but if you are looking for additional leanness at the end of a cycle you should stop the androgens and run a higher dose of GH or run less androgens. T3 is also another substance that should be used during GH cycling since GH lowers thyroid hormones. T3 should be used for shorter periods though, because it can permanently alter the endocrine system. The magic of GH for men is the ability to gain mass without fat or bloating when stacked properly with insulin, and steroids. GH also makes for amazing improvements in skin...smoothes wrinkles, burns stubborn spots of adipose tissue, gives that paper-thin contest look...and also gives one a real mood lift, a feeling of well being.
Major Difference Between GH and Steroids:
Steroids can increase the size of your muscle cells, but cannot I repeat CAN NOT increase the number of muscle cells in your body, which to start with is governed by your genetics. However Growth hormone CAN increase the number of muscle cells in your body, which goes beyond genetics.
Half-Life of GH:
Exogenous (injected) GH has a "half-life" of approximately 2 hours . . . a 4-hour period of activity during which there is a suppression of naturally produced GH.
GH Naturally Produced:
We release the most of our naturally produced GH during the first two hours of deep sleep...you may take a little time to adjust.... your body thinks you should be in bed when that big influx hits. It is good to take a nap, that’s when you grow anyway. It always helps to take naps after workouts and injections everyday.
GH Causing Acromeglia:
Acromeglia is a disease...you either have it or you don't. Supplementing GH will not cause it. Persons suffering from acromeglia, like Andre the Giant, lack the natural defense mechanisms of the body to regulate the production and effects of GH secretion in he pituitary. It is well established in the medical literature that exogenous GH will not cause the disease.... of course it would worsen the condition in those who had it.
GH Gut: Myth or Reality?:
Some researchers claim that any gains in weight experienced by subjects using GH alone was due to growth of internal organs and connective tissue, which could cause some problems. Most studies do not agree with this theory and consider "GH gut" to be a myth. Some people are allergic to synthetic test, this is something you have to find out for yourself. Some people also feel intestinal discomfort from time to time, if so take it down to one item at a time to see what is causing you discomfort; creatine, glutamine, protein products, orals, and dirty gear have all been known to cause this, so find the problem early.
GH and IGF-1:
Perhaps the most relevant effect of IGF-1 is the ability of IGF-1 to increase protein synthesis by increasing cellular mRNA formation (mRNA makes protein) as well as increasing uptake of amino acids. This effect on protein synthesis can lead to increased lean mass. The research indicates that this effect is dependent on GH presence as well. So IGF-1 alone does not promote such effects. Nor does GH. It appears the combination of the two most consistently lead to increased protein synthesis.
GH and IGF-1 are negative regulators of GH release so an increase in either (from a GH injection) reduces the secretion of GH. IGF-1 is very difficult to obtain in a useable condition.... it must be handled very gently and have bee kept at a rather precise temperature at all times. One can stimulate IGF production through the use of an oral steroid during cycle. Dbol, for example, causes a rather extensive release of IGF during the first pass through the liver.
The leading studies in this area: (Ney, 1999, Yarasheski, 1994.... Am J. App. Phys.)
In the Yarasheski study, no increase in lean muscle mass was noticed in the subjects using GH alone, but significant gains were found in subjects that supplemented with IGF and GH...add in the steroids and look out! Yarasheski studied weight trained athletes, supplementing one group with GH alone, and one group with GH and IGF. "So IGF-1 alone does not promote such effects. (Leanness and increased lean mass) Nor does GH. It appears the combination of the two most consistently lead to increased protein synthesis." Both seem to negatively downregulate the other over time, so as to lead to diminishing returns. Cycling would be in order for that reason. Also supplementing both is necessary because one or the other alone will suppress the natural production of the non-supplemented Latest study by Yarashevski - with GH alone...8 to 12% change in lean body composition. 6% increase in muscle mass.
Also - information taken from ironmaster posts
True Story on Growth Hormone by Death On The Field
Growth Hormone
Rating: (1 being the lowest, 5 being the highest)
Strength-4
Weight Gain-4
Fat Loss-4
Side Effects-2
Keep Gains--4
Side Effects:
Hypoglycemia- due to lowered insulin levels.
Aromeglia- (abnormal bone growth) GH does not cause it, but if you are predisposed to it, it will speed it up.
GH gut- if predisposed and taking large doses of GH
Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
Soreness in Joints
Benefits of GH:
New Muscle Cells
Mood Enhancement
Smoothing and improving the skin
Leanness, it is a potent fat burner
Joint and ligament strengthening
Where to Inject, How, and How to Make:
You can site inject anywhere you can reach the subcutaneous layer. Pinch the flesh and pull back, then insert the needle in the "pocket" underneath. Doesn't absorb quick enough if you inject into the adipose tissue. Do not inject intra-muscular, though it can be done, it is not recommended. GH is a site injection, where it is shot is where it will burn the most noticeable fat. Most people do it in the stomach since that is a typical sub q shot with most of the fat being in that area. GH should be kept in a fridge; freezing will destroy the GH. On your kit it probably says to use the kit in 18-24 hours, remember these are for AIDS patients, not bodybuilders or athletes. Mixing the GH can either be done with sterile water or bacteriostic water. The kit with water will be fine for 3 days in the fridge, even with the sterile water, but you should not take this chance, rather you should use bacteriostic water and play it safe. This will keep it fine for a couple of weeks. When mixing the GH, let the water slide down the side as to not pulverize the GH wafer. Do not spray it directly against the wafer with any force. Before reconstitution and even after GH is fragile!!! Also once the water is injected into the bottle gently swirl the vial to reconstitute, do not shake or swirl violently!!!!
Conversions:
1 ml = 1 cc -/+
100 units per 1 cc
6 mg = 18iu
1 ml = 18iu
.50 ml = 9iu
.25 ml = 4.5iu
Some people choose to only do it in cc’s but here is how you can do it in units on a slin dart
5.5 = 1iu, so 2iu = 11 on a slin dart
Differences Between Kits:
The main difference between kits is how many iu’s they make when reconstituted. For example, Serostim re-constitutes to make 126iu, while a Saizen kit.... also made by Serono.... makes up 15iu. Another of their kits makes 54iu. It better be way cheaper than a Serostim kit! Humatrope is fine, but costs too much. The other main concern would be fakes; Lilly is the most often faked one. Some older GH kits do not have holograms on them and are legit, but they are usually only less than 100 dollars than new GH kits with holograms, and I would rather be assured of the hologram and legitimacy of the kit. Best buy currently is Serostim 126 iu kits. These are made for people with wasting diseases like AIDs. Many of these patients got infected because they are IV drug addicts..........they sell the Serostim on the street for drug money.
Dose:
4 to 6 iu ed is sufficient. Most people take it 5 days on 2 days off at their designated dosage. There is no reason or evidence why you cannot stay on for various lengths of time; there is no need to go 5 on 2 off other than cost. Considering that our natural production is only .5 to 1.5iu a day, this is still a huge bump for the body. Research has shown that the body's natural defense systems render mega doses of GH ineffective, anyway. GH does not cause gains in mass...it allows you to put on a great deal of lean mass in combination with proper steroid and insulin use. The user before taking must know this. One or two kits are not enough, you need at least 3 to make you happy, GH takes a while to make its effects, but remember they are long lasting, what you see is what you keep. It takes 6 to 8 weeks to notice a dramatic change in body comp using GH on an ED or 5/2 split. Lighter doses for long periods of time are better than large doses for short cycles. Like any other drug, the more you take the more the benefits, but likewise also more risks. 4-6 iu is a standard dose but many people take more, the most repulsing side effects happen at or beyond 12 iu a day but like anything else it depends on your predisposition for it.
How to Stack:
GH is best taken in conjunction with insulin, anabolic steroids, and t3. Insulin is extremely effective with GH, as anyone here who has tried it will testify. This is because GH injections cause a down regulation of insulin sensitivity in the body.
GH alone causes little growth of lean mass, however, when combined with insulin and steroids (and IGF-1 if you can find it), the results can be down right remarkable...esp. in the older bodybuilder. Start light with the humulin...5iu...and work up 1 iu a day till you get use to it. 7 to 10iu in the AM and 7 to 10 iu in the late afternoon, with split doses of GH is your best bet. When splitting GH/insulin doses, I use mid-morning and late afternoon after lifting.... both flat times in our natural GH production. The insulin overcomes the insulin-resistance caused by exogenous GH supplementation. If you are scared to take insulin thought, then Gh with Test and Glucophage is good. GH is good for cutting if used alone. Glucophage allows for improved glucose and amino acid absorption by the muscle tissue and does it safely. This is what you want. The half-life of GH is only 2 hours so spread it out. Avoid bedtime injections since we produce the bulk of our own GH in the first two hours of sleep. Since exogenous GH suppresses this, you should not take it before bed. For best results, use a 17aa oral during the cycle to stimulate the release of natural insulin growth factors. I would run the test throughout. GH/insulin/test is the proven synergistic combination.
It is also wise to preload with testosterone before starting GH if you are going to do it. You should preload with the amount of time it takes for that testosterone to kick in, since most of us take longer acting esters for testosterone you should usually start taking the test 2 weeks before GH use. Likewise, you can accommodate it to fit your needs; the key is for the test to be kicking in the same time you are starting to run your GH. You can cycle you steroids however you want to depending on your goals, if you are going for a more massive look than you would run insulin for most of the cycle and use high androgens, but if you are looking for additional leanness at the end of a cycle you should stop the androgens and run a higher dose of GH or run less androgens. T3 is also another substance that should be used during GH cycling since GH lowers thyroid hormones. T3 should be used for shorter periods though, because it can permanently alter the endocrine system. The magic of GH for men is the ability to gain mass without fat or bloating when stacked properly with insulin, and steroids. GH also makes for amazing improvements in skin...smoothes wrinkles, burns stubborn spots of adipose tissue, gives that paper-thin contest look...and also gives one a real mood lift, a feeling of well being.
Major Difference Between GH and Steroids:
Steroids can increase the size of your muscle cells, but cannot I repeat CAN NOT increase the number of muscle cells in your body, which to start with is governed by your genetics. However Growth hormone CAN increase the number of muscle cells in your body, which goes beyond genetics.
Half-Life of GH:
Exogenous (injected) GH has a "half-life" of approximately 2 hours . . . a 4-hour period of activity during which there is a suppression of naturally produced GH.
GH Naturally Produced:
We release the most of our naturally produced GH during the first two hours of deep sleep...you may take a little time to adjust.... your body thinks you should be in bed when that big influx hits. It is good to take a nap, that’s when you grow anyway. It always helps to take naps after workouts and injections everyday.
GH Causing Acromeglia:
Acromeglia is a disease...you either have it or you don't. Supplementing GH will not cause it. Persons suffering from acromeglia, like Andre the Giant, lack the natural defense mechanisms of the body to regulate the production and effects of GH secretion in he pituitary. It is well established in the medical literature that exogenous GH will not cause the disease.... of course it would worsen the condition in those who had it.
GH Gut: Myth or Reality?:
Some researchers claim that any gains in weight experienced by subjects using GH alone was due to growth of internal organs and connective tissue, which could cause some problems. Most studies do not agree with this theory and consider "GH gut" to be a myth. Some people are allergic to synthetic test, this is something you have to find out for yourself. Some people also feel intestinal discomfort from time to time, if so take it down to one item at a time to see what is causing you discomfort; creatine, glutamine, protein products, orals, and dirty gear have all been known to cause this, so find the problem early.
GH and IGF-1:
Perhaps the most relevant effect of IGF-1 is the ability of IGF-1 to increase protein synthesis by increasing cellular mRNA formation (mRNA makes protein) as well as increasing uptake of amino acids. This effect on protein synthesis can lead to increased lean mass. The research indicates that this effect is dependent on GH presence as well. So IGF-1 alone does not promote such effects. Nor does GH. It appears the combination of the two most consistently lead to increased protein synthesis.
GH and IGF-1 are negative regulators of GH release so an increase in either (from a GH injection) reduces the secretion of GH. IGF-1 is very difficult to obtain in a useable condition.... it must be handled very gently and have bee kept at a rather precise temperature at all times. One can stimulate IGF production through the use of an oral steroid during cycle. Dbol, for example, causes a rather extensive release of IGF during the first pass through the liver.
The leading studies in this area: (Ney, 1999, Yarasheski, 1994.... Am J. App. Phys.)
In the Yarasheski study, no increase in lean muscle mass was noticed in the subjects using GH alone, but significant gains were found in subjects that supplemented with IGF and GH...add in the steroids and look out! Yarasheski studied weight trained athletes, supplementing one group with GH alone, and one group with GH and IGF. "So IGF-1 alone does not promote such effects. (Leanness and increased lean mass) Nor does GH. It appears the combination of the two most consistently lead to increased protein synthesis." Both seem to negatively downregulate the other over time, so as to lead to diminishing returns. Cycling would be in order for that reason. Also supplementing both is necessary because one or the other alone will suppress the natural production of the non-supplemented Latest study by Yarashevski - with GH alone...8 to 12% change in lean body composition. 6% increase in muscle mass.
I just found this info over at http://www.harcourt-international.com/journals/ghir/previous.cfm?art=ghir.2002.0260
I'll paste the info here as it seems this stack may help to stimulate the normal GH release after a cycle.
Kyolic® and Pycnogenol® increase human growth hormone secretion in genetically-engineered keratinocytes
Amber R. Buz'Zard, Qiaoling Peng, Benjamin H.S. Lau
p 34-40, Volume 12, Number 1, February 2002
Abstract
The amount of human growth hormone (HGH) decreases significantly after the age of 30. This decrease has been implicated as one of the major causes in the signs of aging, such as thinning of the skin and bones, a decrease in lean muscle mass and an increase in adipose tissue. Supplementing the body's dwindling supply with recombinant human growth hormone (rHGH) has been shown to reverse the signs and symptoms of aging. However, drawbacks in rHGH replacement therapy include prohibitively high cost, the need for repeated injection and side effects such as carpel tunnel syndrome, gynecomastia and insulin resistance. The purpose of this study was to establish an in vitro model using genetically-engineered keratinocytes to screen natural compounds for the ability to stimulate HGH secretion. We now report that a combination of equal amounts of L-arginine and L-lysine, aged garlic extract (Kyolic®), S-allyl cysteine and Pycnogenol® significantly increased secretion of HGH in this in vitro model. The data indicate that this in vitro model may be used to screen for other secretagogues. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
I'll paste the info here as it seems this stack may help to stimulate the normal GH release after a cycle.
Kyolic® and Pycnogenol® increase human growth hormone secretion in genetically-engineered keratinocytes
Amber R. Buz'Zard, Qiaoling Peng, Benjamin H.S. Lau
p 34-40, Volume 12, Number 1, February 2002
Abstract
The amount of human growth hormone (HGH) decreases significantly after the age of 30. This decrease has been implicated as one of the major causes in the signs of aging, such as thinning of the skin and bones, a decrease in lean muscle mass and an increase in adipose tissue. Supplementing the body's dwindling supply with recombinant human growth hormone (rHGH) has been shown to reverse the signs and symptoms of aging. However, drawbacks in rHGH replacement therapy include prohibitively high cost, the need for repeated injection and side effects such as carpel tunnel syndrome, gynecomastia and insulin resistance. The purpose of this study was to establish an in vitro model using genetically-engineered keratinocytes to screen natural compounds for the ability to stimulate HGH secretion. We now report that a combination of equal amounts of L-arginine and L-lysine, aged garlic extract (Kyolic®), S-allyl cysteine and Pycnogenol® significantly increased secretion of HGH in this in vitro model. The data indicate that this in vitro model may be used to screen for other secretagogues. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
WannaImpress
New member
Good read.....bump for a few of the guys that are thinking about using HGH. 
liquidmuscle
Well-known member
bros i cant thank you enough for this article, karma to you guys
liquidmuscle
Well-known member
sorry genarr it says i have to spread karma around first
liquidmuscle
Well-known member
this should be made a sticky,bumpity bump
Has anyone tried combination from http://www.longerhealthylife.com - using Acetyl-L-Carnitine with L-Ornithine to increase GH?
Does it work?
Does it work?
wnt2bBeast
New member
Excellent read.. 
"It can cause hyperplasia, muscle satellite cells splitting into two! AAS only causes a cell to grow bigger, but HGH can do that as well as split them, upping your supposedly fixed genetic potential"
- WTF? I had no idea about this. I thought that this was genetically impossible. I thought that you were born with the same number of muscle cells and you die with the same number. Thats very impressive. Damn ... we really are turning into genetic freaks nowadays eh? It wont be long until the "HULK" is real. - You wont like me when I'm angry! hahahaha
- WTF? I had no idea about this. I thought that this was genetically impossible. I thought that you were born with the same number of muscle cells and you die with the same number. Thats very impressive. Damn ... we really are turning into genetic freaks nowadays eh? It wont be long until the "HULK" is real. - You wont like me when I'm angry! hahahaha
majutsu
Well-known member
I am going to go test+GH. I personally am not f***in with insulin either, not at my "intermediate" level. I don't think insulin is essential for good results. I just heard GH by itself is disappointing, but mixed with AAS is supposedly quite rewarding, especially for the older BB like me . . .
liquidmuscle
Well-known member
poantrex said:
i would like to see that, since most of the time i see recommendations on t3 supplementation due to gh causing you to feel lethargic
Well, the theory is based on the fact that exo-HGH will reduce free T4 levels, and when this was noted by some scientists they speculated that thyroid supplementation (with t4 obviously) was needed. But the latest studies show a deactivation of deiodinase, which increases levels of free T3 hormone very signifigantly- So apparently exo-HGH increases T4-T3 conversion which is why T4 levels are reduced.
T4 is unimportant in this case because T3 is the metabolically active thyroid hormone.
Hold on a sec, i'll dig the studies up right now
T4 is unimportant in this case because T3 is the metabolically active thyroid hormone.
Hold on a sec, i'll dig the studies up right now
I better get K for this 
Anyway here are the studies
Effects of recombinant growth hormone therapy on thyroid hormone concentrations.
Kalina-Faska B, Kalina M, Koehler B.
Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland. [email protected]
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: There are numerous, often contradictory reports on the effects of growth hormone (GH) therapy on thyroid function. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of such therapy on serum concentrations of thyroid hormones in GH-deficient children euthyroid prior to the treatment, and to determine the necessity of thyroid hormone administration in these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 32 GH-deficient patients in the first stage of sexual development, in whom disorders of thyroid function could be excluded. The inclusion criteria were based on clinical examination and levels of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), free thyroxine (fT4), free triiodothyronine (fT3), reverse triiodothyronine (rT3), thyrotropin (TSH) before and after stimulation with thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). Recombinant growth hormone (rGH) (Genotropin 16U, Pharmacia) was administered at a dose of 0.7 U/kg/week. Fasting blood samples were drawn before treatment and after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of therapy. Thyroid hormones were measured using RIA and IRMA methods. RESULTS: There were no physical signs of hypothyroidism in the patients examined during 12 months of rGH administration, and the satisfactory growth rate was achieved. T4 levels decreased in the first 3 months but remained within the normal range, and then returned to the values prior to the treatment. A similar trend was observed for fF4, with 28.5% of patients exhibiting fF4 levels below the normal in the 3rd month. An increase during the first 3 months of therapy was observed in the cases of T3 (statistically non-significant) and fT3, and these values then fell to levels within the normal range of patients' age. During treatment, TSH levels decreased but remained within the normal range. CONCLUSIONS: A transient decrease in T4 concentrations in the 3rd month with unchanged T3 and an increase in fT3 concentrations probably result from the effect of rGH on the peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones. The results obtained do not support the use of thyroid hormone therapy with levothyroxine during the first year of rGH therapy in patients who are initially euthyroid.
PMID: 14756384 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Effects of short-term growth hormone treatment on PTH, calcitriol, thyroid hormones, insulin and glucagon.
Brixen K, Nielsen HK, Bouillon R, Flyvbjerg A, Mosekilde L.
University Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Aarhus County Hospital, Denmark.
We measured changes in serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), calcitriol, parathyroid hormone (PTH), thyroid hormones, insulin, and plasma glucagon in response to seven days of treatment with a pharmacological dosage of recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH) (0.1 IU/kg sc twice daily) or placebo in 20 normal male volunteers to evaluate whether the effect of r-hGH on biochemical bone markers could be attributed to changes in these hormones. Serum IGF-1 (p < 0.001) and vitamin D-binding protein (p < 0.001) increased steadily during treatment returning to baseline at day 14. Total calcitriol (p < 0.01) and free calcitriol index (p < 0.001) increased transiently at day 4. Furthermore, serum insulin (p < 0.001) and both total (p < 0.001) and free triiodothyronine (p < 0.02) increased during treatment, while serum PTH and plasma glucagon remained unchanged. In conclusion, pharmacological doses of r-hGH increased not only IGF-1 but also free-calcitriol index, insulin, and free T3. The increase in these hormones may be co-responsible for some of the observed effects of r-hGH on bone turnover and calcium homeostasis.
Publication Types:
* Clinical Trial
* Controlled Clinical Trial
PMID: 1449044 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Anyway here are the studies
Effects of recombinant growth hormone therapy on thyroid hormone concentrations.
Kalina-Faska B, Kalina M, Koehler B.
Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland. [email protected]
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: There are numerous, often contradictory reports on the effects of growth hormone (GH) therapy on thyroid function. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of such therapy on serum concentrations of thyroid hormones in GH-deficient children euthyroid prior to the treatment, and to determine the necessity of thyroid hormone administration in these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 32 GH-deficient patients in the first stage of sexual development, in whom disorders of thyroid function could be excluded. The inclusion criteria were based on clinical examination and levels of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), free thyroxine (fT4), free triiodothyronine (fT3), reverse triiodothyronine (rT3), thyrotropin (TSH) before and after stimulation with thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). Recombinant growth hormone (rGH) (Genotropin 16U, Pharmacia) was administered at a dose of 0.7 U/kg/week. Fasting blood samples were drawn before treatment and after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of therapy. Thyroid hormones were measured using RIA and IRMA methods. RESULTS: There were no physical signs of hypothyroidism in the patients examined during 12 months of rGH administration, and the satisfactory growth rate was achieved. T4 levels decreased in the first 3 months but remained within the normal range, and then returned to the values prior to the treatment. A similar trend was observed for fF4, with 28.5% of patients exhibiting fF4 levels below the normal in the 3rd month. An increase during the first 3 months of therapy was observed in the cases of T3 (statistically non-significant) and fT3, and these values then fell to levels within the normal range of patients' age. During treatment, TSH levels decreased but remained within the normal range. CONCLUSIONS: A transient decrease in T4 concentrations in the 3rd month with unchanged T3 and an increase in fT3 concentrations probably result from the effect of rGH on the peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones. The results obtained do not support the use of thyroid hormone therapy with levothyroxine during the first year of rGH therapy in patients who are initially euthyroid.
PMID: 14756384 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Effects of short-term growth hormone treatment on PTH, calcitriol, thyroid hormones, insulin and glucagon.
Brixen K, Nielsen HK, Bouillon R, Flyvbjerg A, Mosekilde L.
University Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Aarhus County Hospital, Denmark.
We measured changes in serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), calcitriol, parathyroid hormone (PTH), thyroid hormones, insulin, and plasma glucagon in response to seven days of treatment with a pharmacological dosage of recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH) (0.1 IU/kg sc twice daily) or placebo in 20 normal male volunteers to evaluate whether the effect of r-hGH on biochemical bone markers could be attributed to changes in these hormones. Serum IGF-1 (p < 0.001) and vitamin D-binding protein (p < 0.001) increased steadily during treatment returning to baseline at day 14. Total calcitriol (p < 0.01) and free calcitriol index (p < 0.001) increased transiently at day 4. Furthermore, serum insulin (p < 0.001) and both total (p < 0.001) and free triiodothyronine (p < 0.02) increased during treatment, while serum PTH and plasma glucagon remained unchanged. In conclusion, pharmacological doses of r-hGH increased not only IGF-1 but also free-calcitriol index, insulin, and free T3. The increase in these hormones may be co-responsible for some of the observed effects of r-hGH on bone turnover and calcium homeostasis.
Publication Types:
* Clinical Trial
* Controlled Clinical Trial
PMID: 1449044 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
juve
New member
poantrex said:
This doesn't make sense since deiodinase enzyme is the one that induces the T4>T3 conversion in liver/kidneys.
I agree on the point of T4 as being impertinent as the measure of thyroid function: all that matters is the free plasma T3 levels unbound by the TBH.
Recombinant hGH replacement therapy and the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis in children with GH deficiency: when should we be concerned about the occurrence of central hypothyroidism?
RESULTS: Serum IGF-I levels normalized in all patients. In both groups, a significant reduction in FT4 levels (P < 0.01) occurred during rhGH therapy. No patient in group A had FT4 values into the hypothyroid range, while in four of six patients in group B, fell FT4 levels into the hypothyroid range during rhGH. In particular, the two euthyroid children developed central hypothyroidism during rhGH treatment, and their height velocities did not normalize until the achievement of euthyroidism through appropriate LT4 substitution. No variation in serum FT3 and TSH levels was recorded in either groups. CONCLUSION: Contrary to that observed in patients with MPHD, rhGH replacement therapy does not induce central hypothyroidism
The influence of growth hormone and thyroxine on iodothyronine deiodinase activity in the liver, kidney and brown adipose tissue in hypophysectomized rats.
In conclusion, GH stimulates iodothyronine deiodinase activity of the liver and kidney in hypophysectomized rats. Moreover, when GH is administered together with T4, the T4-stimulated enzyme activity in the liver and kidney is downregulated, suggesting that GH attenuates (or modulates) the T4 effect on this specific enzyme activity.
cryptkeeper
New member
very interesting indeed, as i always read that t3 was a must with gh. but im still confused. so does this mean that would t4 maybe be a better choice than t3 in conjunction with gh, or to use neither?
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