Long-term Safety of Testosterone and Growth Hormone Supplementation: A Retrospective Study of Metabolic, Cardiovascular, and Oncologic Outcomes
2010

Long-term Safety of Testosterone and Growth Hormone Supplementation

Sample size: 531 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Ginzburg Enrique, Klimas Nancy, Parvus Chad, Life Jeff, Willix Robert, Barber Michale J., Lin Alvin, Comite Florence

Primary Institution: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Hypothesis

Does long-term testosterone and growth hormone supplementation adversely affect metabolic and clinical outcomes?

Conclusion

Extended testosterone and/or growth hormone supplementation did not adversely affect metabolic markers or clinical outcomes.

Supporting Evidence

  • Only 1.3% of patients experienced new disease events during the study period.
  • Significant decreases in total cholesterol and LDL were observed in patients receiving combined testosterone and GH.
  • Adverse clinical outcomes were not higher than expected in the general population.

Takeaway

This study looked at whether taking testosterone and growth hormone for a long time is safe. It found that it doesn't seem to cause any bad health effects.

Methodology

Retrospective database survey analyzing clinical outcomes among patients receiving testosterone and/or growth hormone supplementation.

Potential Biases

The small number of patients treated with GH alone limits the robustness of the outcomes reported for GH.

Limitations

The study is retrospective and lacks stratification of outcome data by clinical and demographic variables.

Participant Demographics

531 patients (89% males, mean age 54 years) who received hormonal therapy for at least 1 year.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Confidence Interval

95%

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.4021/jocmr428w

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