When adults with an HGH deficiency resulting from pituitary disease are given HGH replacement, it improves body composition -- increasing bone mass and muscle mass and decreasing fat stores.
But it does not cause weight loss in the obese, says Nicholas Tritos, MD, who co-authored an analysis evaluating the effectiveness of HGH for weight loss in obese people.
"Our results showed small improvements in body composition, a small reduction in body fat and increase in muscle mass, but on balance, weight did not change," he says. "More notable changes are seen when an individual is deficient in growth hormone from true pituitary disease."
Another study found that HGH therapy was linked to a small decrease in fat and increase in lean mass, but no change in body weight. The researchers concluded that HGH is not an effective treatment in obese people, and said more studies were needed.
Further, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists has warned that the use of HGH for obese patients is not recommended.
www.webmd.com
