Treatment of osteoporosis with calcitonin, with and without growth hormone.

A 24 month randomized parallel study of the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis with calcitonin alone v calcitonin alternating with growth hormone (combined treatment) was conducted. Each group received 1000 mg daily of oral calcium supplements. The rate of change in total body calcium for the combined and calcitonin groups was + 1.68%/yr and + 1.33/yr, respectively (P less than .05). However, the difference in the two groups was not statistically significant. Further, the total body calcium level did not increase after 12 to 18 months of treatment. There was significant difference in the rates of change of bone mineral content (BMC) of the radius for the two groups, with a loss of BMC in the combined treatment group (F = 4.80, P less than .05). Calcitonin treatment is effective in producing an increment in bone mass. The addition of growth hormone to this regimen appears to have a deleterious effect on cortical bone mass.