Growth hormone use can lead to diabetes
Despite lack of evidence showing the effectiveness of growth hormone in athletic performance, many athletes and bodybuilders continue to use it for body enhancement and improved performance. Added to this, its easy availability through online websites and its difficulty to detect during doping tests, contribute to its preference over anabolic steroids.
It was not until the early 2000s that a specific blood test was developed to trace artificial GH from the natural one. The test was primarily used for GH detection during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
A case study of a 36-year-old professional male bodybuilder showed that GH use could indeed cause diabetes. He was an anabolic user for fifteen years and was on growth hormones for three years. He presented with excessive urination (polyuria), excessive thirst (polydipsia) and excessive hunger. His weight drastically dropped to almost 40 kgs of his usual weight within a twelve-month period.
His records also showed that he was on insulin a year after taking growth hormones. This is to control his blood sugar increase. However, he also discontinued its use after experiencing several bouts of hypoglycemia while at the gym.
He was diagnosed to have reversible type 2 diabetes. Aside from this, his test also showed inflammation of the liver, kidney enlargement and dehydration. He was immediately given intravenous fluids and insulin to treat his condition. He was discharged from the hospital after symptoms cleared up.
From The Medical News:
Use of growth hormone to boost athletic performance can lead to diabetes, reports a study published ahead of print in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
