Growth hormone response to insulin hypoglycemia in the elderly

The mean human growth hormone (HGH) response to insulin hypoglycemia in a group of 30 elderly subjects (63 to 99 yr) was similar to the mean response of 26 younger controls (mean age 32.7 yr). Although the mean fasting HGH concentration was significantly lower in a subgroup of elderly subjects who were obese, their mean HGH response to hypoglycemia was similar to that of the elderly lean subjects and young controls. In contrast with the characteristically enhanced HGH responsiveness in young females, the elderly females had a significantly lower HGH response than their male counterparts. The small numbers of subjects in each subgroup make interpretation difficult.