MidLife
Growth Hormone
Interest in growth hormone started because of the results of a very small study in male volunteers. This study was not a clinical trial, but the results suggested that, after using growth hormone, muscle strength and size increased, and some signs of aging lessened.
Huge excitement followed. There was a desire to learn more about the effects of growth hormone and the sex hormones (estrogen and testosterone). Do these chemicals prevent aging? Can they make older people stronger? It is too early to make any claims about the benefits of these hormones in combating aging. The risks are uncertain as well.
Side effects of growth hormone
Growth hormone injections have been associated with side effects in older adults. These include mild effects like joint pain and carpal tunnel syndrome to more serious problems like diabetes and fluid retention (the kind that can lead to high blood pressure and heart failure). Additionally, high levels of certain hormones have been linked to an increased incidence of some types of cancer. This alone raises concern that use of anti-aging hormones may have adverse effects.
As research continues, more information will be learned on the safety and efficacy of these hormones in larger, controlled studies.
