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Growth hormone and fluid retention.
J Møller1, S Nielsen, T K Hansen
1Medical Department M, Aarhus Kommunehospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
Hormone Research
|December 11, 1999
Summary
Growth hormone (GH) therapy normalizes fluid balance in dehydrated GH-deficient adults. This fluid retention is a beneficial restoration of homeostasis, not a side effect.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Physiology
Background:
- Adults with growth hormone deficiency often exhibit dehydration, characterized by reduced total body water, extracellular water, and plasma volume.
- Growth hormone (GH) administration is associated with fluid retention, commonly perceived as a side effect.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the role of fluid retention during growth hormone (GH) substitution therapy in adult GH-deficient patients.
- To determine if GH-induced fluid retention represents a detrimental side effect or a physiological normalization.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing data on body fluid compartments in adult GH-deficient patients before and during GH substitution.
- Analysis of the impact of GH administration on total body water, extracellular water, and plasma volume.
Main Results:
- GH-deficient patients typically present with depleted fluid volumes.
- GH substitution therapy effectively restores these depleted fluid compartments towards normal levels.
- The fluid-retaining effect of GH leads to a normalization of fluid homeostasis.
Conclusions:
- The fluid retention observed during GH therapy in GH-deficient adults is a beneficial physiological response.
- GH-induced fluid normalization corrects dehydration, improving overall fluid homeostasis.
- This effect should be considered a therapeutic normalization rather than an adverse side effect.