Some time ago there was talk in Babies and more about the use of growth hormone in those children with criteria to be administered and the possibility of being used also in those with short stature without apparent cause.
The criteria for the use of the hormone are growth retardation due to hormone deficiency, Turner Syndrome in girls, in case of chronic kidney disease, in Prader-Willi syndrome, and in those situations where there is a Growth retardation and its use has been established as safe.
In these situations the treatment involves a benefit such that it overcomes the risks of the same. Therefore its use is indicated and beyond doubt.
However, years ago the use of the hormone in healthy people was found clandestinely (to increase growth, to increase physical performance or to slow down aging in adults) with the consequent health risk and that is why it was classified as a medication for hospital use. The benefits of growth hormone are demonstrated in people suffering from a previous hormone deficit. The use of it in people with a normal hormonal secretion not only does not have the same effects but also generates an excess of hormone in the body that can cause a number of important risks.
Some risks of using the hormone in healthy people are:
- Fluid retention that can cause edema in various parts of the body, joint and muscle aches and loss of sensation.
- Increase in blood glucose that may necessitate the use of another hormone, insulin, to regulate it. In the long term it is not ruled out that Diabetes could occur.
- Disorders in the functioning of the thyroid gland.
- Intracranial hypertension (increased pressure of the fluid in which the brain is floating) and which would manifest as headache, nausea, vomiting and retention of fluid in the retina which would cause visual problems.
- Promotion of tumor development: increased risk of tumors of different location (prostate, breast, colorectal).
It is unknown if there are other added risks, since the use of the hormone in healthy people is clandestine and therefore it is not possible to do studies With these people.
Taking into account these risks and the inappropriate use of the treatment, since 2005, growth hormone was described as a medication for hospital use.
This means that the dispensing of medication It will be exclusive of pharmacy services Public or private hospitals and pharmacy services enabled for this purpose by the Ministry of Health of each of the Autonomous Communities.
