INCREASED SERUM LIPOPROTEIN(A) CONCENTRATIONS AFTER GROWTH-HORMONE (GH) TREATMENT IN PATIENTS WITH ISOLATED GH DEFICIENCY

Fourteen post-pubertal subjects (11 male, 3 female) with isolated grow th hormone (GH) deficiency were treated with a low dose (0.125 U/kg fo r the first 4 weeks and thereafter 0.025 U/kg/week) daily sc GH inject ion for 1 year. Fasting blood samples were collected at entry into the study and subsequently at 3 monthly intervals far estimation of serum cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipopr otein-cholesterol and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. Serum Lp(a) increased pr ogressively during the treatment period (by analysis of variance) and tvas 41 % higher at 12 months (P < 0.02) despite the fact that five pa tients showed little or no change, There was no significant change in any of the other lipid fractions. These observations are of concern as Lp(a) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and sh ould introduce a cautionary note into the enthusiastic efforts to offe r GK replacement to all GH deficient adults.