HGH replacement therapy and colon cancer
Posted by: Roy
Date: November 18, 2005 11:26 AM
I am 55 and have been taking HGH for four months (Approx. 1.5 units per day Saizen). Three years ago I had a colonoscopy (no polyps). Three years previous to that I had 2 polyps removed. I recently visited my doctor and he said go another 2 years before having another colonoscopy. I chose not to inform him of my HGH replacement therapy. My question is, is there a risk of HGH causing colon cancer and should I increase the frequency of routine cancer screening (Colonoscopy)?
RE: HGH replacement therapy and colon cancer
Posted by: Ron Kennedy, M.D.
Date: November 18, 2005 12:52 PM
As far as I know there are no studies about HGH and cancer. There is conjecture on both side of the issue. Conventional medicine says "HGH promotes growth, so must promote the growth of tumors." Alternative medicine says "If high HGH levels favored cancer, young people (almost all of whom have high levels) would have more cancer - and the opposite it the case." I know which side of the argument I fall on, but with no studies each person must make up his/her own mind. It may be that if one develops a cancer that it would grow faster under the influence of HGH, but still, as far as I know, no studies. Increasing the frequency of colonoscopy would depend on which side of the controversy you favor. For people who have formed polyps in the past, I believe the recommendation is colonoscopy at least once per year and some doctors recommend every six months. That is a pretty large dose of HGH - 10.5 units per week. I recommend you have your HGH measured directly by 24 hour urine collection through AAL Labs in Austin, Texas. Too much HGH can cause you problems - read up on "acromegaly."
