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

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