Growth hormone and fluid retention

A major side effect of growth hormone (GH) administration is fluid retentio n. Most data indicate that adult GH-deficient patients are dehydrated, i.e. they have low total body water, low extracellular water and low plasma vol ume. When GH substitution is initiated in these patients their body fluid c ompartments are restored to normal. The fluid retaining capacity of GH shou ld therefore be regarded as a desirable physiological normalization of flui d homeostasis rather than an unpleasant side effect. Copyright (C) 1999 S. Karger AG, Basel.