Growth hormone may lower osteoporosis fracture risk in older women

Eggs are a good natural source of vitamin D, which can help reduce risk of fracture

Growth hormones could be a useful way to reduce fracture risk in older women with osteoporosis, according to a study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
A total of 80 women aged 50–70 years with osteoporosis were given daily injections of a single unit of growth hormone, a 2.5-unit dose of growth hormone or a pretend drug.

After 18 months, the pretend drug was no longer given to the women and those given the growth hormone continued treatment for another 18 months. The volunteers were followed for seven more years, and their fractures, bone density and quality of life were monitored. Ten years after the start of the study:

• The women who had been given the larger dose of growth hormone had persistently higher bone mineral density levels than those given the lower dose or the pretend drug;
• Rates of fractures in the treated women who had osteoporosis lowered by 50% but increased by four times in the group given the pretend drug.

“Our study is the largest and longest controlled study of growth hormone treatment for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women to date,” highlights lead author Dr Emily Krantz. “Years after treatment stopped, women who were treated with growth hormone still experienced improved bone density and reduced fracture risk.”

Other ways to reduce risk of fracture are to take calcium supplements, eat plenty of vitamin D-rich food (such as eggs and oily fish) and to take regular exercise.

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Image credit: John Loo