Growth hormone deficiency and peak bone mass

In order to define the relationship between growth hormone (GI-I) and peak bone mass, and the importance of the role played by GH in reaching optimal peak bone mass, several questions, discussed in this article, have first to be answered, Although the answers to some of these questions are already b ecoming apparent, some await the findings of further research. It is doubtf ul whether the results of these studies, which by definition should be long -term because of the long lag between the end of linear growth and the atta inment of peak bone mass, will soon be available, In the absence of evidenc e-based medicine one can, however, conclude that longterm GH replacement th erapy for GH deficiency in adults has no deleterious effects on bone. Indee d, despite an increase in bone turnover and an increase in remodeling space , bone mineral density and bone mineral content have been shown to increase slowly over time and to the same degree in both controlled and uncontrolle d studies.