THE COMBINED EFFECT OF GROWTH HORMONE AND METHANDROSTENOLONE ON THE LINEAR GROWTH OF PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE PITUITARY HORMONE DEFICIENCIES

Abstract
Six patients with multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies (MPHD) were initially treated with separate courses of methandrostenolone and growth hormone [GH] and later with the 2 drugs combined. During the basal period the mean growth velocity was 2.8 cm/yr. Methandrostenolone alone, 0.02-0.05 mg/kg per day given to 4 of the patients accelerated the growth velocity to a mean of 5.0 cm/yr, while GH 6 mg/wk alone accelerated the growth rate to a mean of 6.0 cm/yr. Combined therapy led to a striking increase in the mean growth rate to 9.3 cm/yr. The shortcoming of the combined GH-androgen therapy was the fast acceleration in skeletal maturation even after short-term administration.

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