Growth hormone and fluid retention

A major side effect of growth hormone (GH) administration is fluid retention. Most data indicate that adult GH-deficient patients are dehydrated, i.e. they have low total body water, low extracellular water and low plasma volume. When GH substitution is initiated in these patients their body fluid compartments are restored to normal. The fluid retaining capacity of GH should therefore be regarded as a desirable physiological normalization of fluid homeostasis rather than an unpleasant side effect.