X-Message-Number: 14010 From: "Terry Grossman" <> References: <> Subject: Re: CryoNet #14003 - #14004 Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 07:16:35 -0600 Reply to: Message #14003 Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2000 14:15:36 -0500 From: david pizer <> Subject: Growth Hormone Releasors. Looking for information on what tests need to be done to find one's growth hormone levels. Also, are growth hormone releasors (whatever those are) safer than taking the growth hormone. The best test for growth hormone levels in the body is a blood test called IGF-1. One lab offers a salivary test for same which means a doctor visit is not needed. GH is available in injectible form for home administration from a doctor or as a topical or oral secretagaogues ("releasers"), which are compounds that stimulate the pituitary to release the GH it has within it. The entire subject of GH supplementation is up in the air right now. Some people believe that GH supplementation is a good thing associated with anti-aging benefits. There is some data to support this based on studies done by Drs Chien and Terry in Palm Springs CA. Other people (including the majority of the medical "establishment") feel that raising IGF-1 levels through GH supplementation may increase one's risk of developing certain types of cancer. In particular, prostate and possibly breast cancer are associated with higher IGF-1 levels. In answer to your question as to which is safer, GH injections or secretagogue (GH releaser) use, I believe that the latter is safer since it doesn't raise IGF-1 levels as much. The bottom line is that we just don't know at the present time whether raising GH levels is a good thing or not, due to the conflicting data. Personally, I suspect that rasing GH levels a little is OK. I base my feeling on the fact that vigorous anaerobic exercise and avoidance of sugar, which are health beneficial, also raise GH levels. Terry Grossman M.D. Medical Director, Frontier Medical Institute 2801 Youngfield St., Suite 117 Golden CO 80401 (303) 233-4247 Fax (303) 233-4249 Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=14010