Endocrine Drugs and Medications Q 15
Miley has been taking growth hormones for quite some time now. As a recipient of the agent, she should be aware that a side effect of growth hormone is:
A. Increased tumor growth
B. Soft tissue hypertrophy
C. Dwarfism
D. Hyperthyroidism
Correct Answer: A. Increased tumor growth
Growth hormone may increase the size of a tumor if one is present. In addition to the lack of evidence for effectiveness of human growth hormone in these proposed uses, it causes side effects such as diabetes, carpal tunnel syndrome, fluid retention, joint and muscle pain, and high blood pressure. Many of these side effects were seen in studies that used much higher doses of human growth hormone than are now used in elderly people, so there is hope that studies using lower doses alone or in combination with modest doses of anabolic steroids may show a positive ratio of benefits to side effects. Hypothyroidism and soft tissue atrophy are the side effects. Dwarfism is the indication for therapy.
Option B: Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) and other hormones such as growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) have been shown to increase muscle mass in patients suffering from various diseases related to muscle atrophy.
Option C: Recombinant human growth hormone therapy (rhGH) is an effective treatment for patients suffering from growth hormone deficiency. Early intervention can prevent short stature and the psychosocial stress associated with it.
Option D: Hyperthyroidism is associated with increased serum IGF-I levels and marked alterations in the neuroregulation of GH secretion. These changes involve decreased GH responsiveness to GHRH at the pituitary level and, at the hypothalamic level, a lack of suppressive effect of an oral glucose load.