Doctor Doctor, gimme the news

[Kooky]

Have any of you clever doctorish people had anything to do with the Human Growth Hormone? It's been suggested to me as an alternative treatment for Osteoporosis - in much, much smaller quantities than bodybuilders take, so don't worry that I might turn into Popeye.

I've been put on Actonel Combi D, which is a bisphosphonate with Calcium and Vitamin D, but I'm worried about the side effects and the fact that after a couple of months my LFT results are elevated for the first time since I had Dengue.

I've also been told that Actonel and the like can stop further deterioration, but HGH can reverse the process. Going to read up on it but just wondered if any of you have specialist knowledge. I guess I really need to know is it effective in this area, are there any side effects, is it snake oil?

Ta.

[chocolate]

I know very little about it, all i know is that make sure it comes from a good source/synthetically made

I think it's fine in small quantities, people with Turners Syndrome take it as they are seriously lacking in it, but i've never heard of it as an osteo treatment.....

[Burbage]

It's a growth factor with many different receptor interactions, which means that it has many different functions. The advantage of it is that it can stimulate growth in a tissue that is suffering from lack of growth or regeneration (osteo being one of many conditions), the disadvantage is that it can interact with many many other tissues as well. In effect, it has lots of side effects.

Make sure you discuss side effects at your dose level with your doctor before you make a decision. Ask for case studies and reports if you aren't sure that he's being frank with you.

[Kooky]

Thanks guys.

My late night reading (curse you, jet lag ) suggests it's only effective if injected daily, and not only do I really not fancy that but it's also shockingly expensive. I also read that it can lead to high BP and carpel tunnel syndrome, amongst other things. The BP is not a worry as mine has always been low, but my wrists are already pathetically weak.

The doctor I saw yesterday - who has patients all over Australia and even a few in Singapore - has similar autoimmune thyroid issues to me, I suspect is menopausal, and injects HGH on a daily basis, so she's definitely a fan. However I suspect she's also into it for the anti-ageing properties as she's also a fan of botox

I'll write to Dr Lee in Sg and see if he can point me to any studies; I saw him last week - he did me some bloods to take to this new doc.

[BFG]

Can she recommend anything for my hypochondria?

[Burbage]

I can.

[Kooky]

A lump hammer?

I wish mine was hypochondria, it would be a lot cheaper to manage.

[BFG]

A lump hammer?

I wish mine was hypochondria, it would be a lot cheaper to manage.

Spend lots - you're worth it...

[Kooky]

Could you please tell that to Neo? I read these things can cost 30 grand a year

On a slightly serious note - it shocked me this year just how bad my mum's osteo is getting; she's almost bent double. Good/advanced healthcare should not just be for those able to go private.

[BFG]

Neo? Consider yourself told...