Human growth hormone use among athletes appears to be rising.
Athletes including David Segui and Royals’ Jason Grimsley admit using this banned substance. HGH, what do you know?
True or false
1. HGH is an illegal substance.
2. HGH is banned by the US Olympic Committee.
3. HGH promotes muscle healing.
HGH is produced by the pea-sized pituitary gland in the brain. It is necessary for normal human growth including height, muscle and bone development. Inadequate production of HGH can lead to very short stature and other conditions.
Excess production causes acromegaly, from which President John Kennedy suffered. HGH can be obtained legally through a physician and pharmacist. Pediatric endocrinologists prescribe synthetic HGH for those with growth hormone deficiency. It is used to assist those with severe muscle wasting diseases such as cancer and HIV/AIDS to preserve and enhance muscle mass. Side effects of HGH use include diabetes, muscle, bone and joint pain and high blood pressure. The long-term effects are not known.
HGH is banned by all major sports leagues and the International Olympic Committee. It is very difficult to detect through urine testing.
Blood testing for synthetic HGH was first introduced at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. A refined testing procedure will be employed at the Vancouver Olympic Games. Most certainly some athletes will test positive.
The synthetic or recombinant product is available by injection. Oral preparations, advertised on the Internet have no scientifically supported use.
HGH injections may cost thousands of dollars per month.
In September HGH was confiscated from a Canadian physician Anthony Galea at the US-Canadian border who has treated many prominent athletes. The FBI is investigating with great suspicion that HGH was being delivered to US athletes.
Retired baseball player David Segui openly discusses his current use of HGH to help ease the pain from severe osteoarthritis and middle age. Others including Roger Clemens and Mark McGwire used HGH while playing, citing more rapid recovery from injuries.
HGH is vital for normal growth and development, to be sure.
But when disreputable physicians are caught sneaking it over the border and athletes take cover behind nefarious trainers something has gone terribly awry. Kids don’t know the difference.
Kansas City is home to a world respected leader on drugs and sport.
Frank Uryasz is President and Founder of The National Center for Drug Free Sport, Inc., www.drugfreesport.com, an organization which consults with the NCAA and others to inform athletes and conduct testing. They are a tremendous resource for local athletes, coaches and parents.
This week in Vancouver the Olympic Oath will be taken by athletes collectively, “…committing ourselves to a sport without doping and without drugs…” We will see.
Answers
1. F 2. T 3. T
