THE EFFECT OF SHORT TERM HIGH DOSE TESTOSTERONE THERAPY ON BONE AGE (BA) AND HEIGHT IN TALL BOYS

Abstract

We have prospectively evaluated the effect of a short term high dose testosterone therapy on height and BA in tall boys. BA was assessed according to the Greulich-Pyle method. Adult height was predicted with the tables of Bayley-Pinneau. Treatment consisted of intramuscular injections of 500 mg testosterone oenanthate every 2 weeks for 6 months. Height and BA were determined before, at the end of and 3, 6 and 12 months after therapy. 34 boys have been followed for at least 6 months after therapy. ΔBA/ΔCA accelerated by 2.46 ± 0.82 years (mean ± SD) during therapy and by 2.99 ± 1.14, 2.23 ± 0.78 and 1.58 ± 0.46 years 3, 6 and 12 months thereafter, thus demonstrating, that BA-acceleration persists for several months after treatment.12 boys were measured 2.50 ± 0.34 years after therapy. Their initial bone age was 14.02 ± 0.52 years with a predicted height of 204.99 ± 4.25 cm. At the end of therapy height was 193.61 ± 5.59 cm and bone age 15.67 ± 0.58 years. Height at the time of the last evaluation was 197.38 ± 4.11 cm, which is 7.61 ± 5.6 cm less than predicted. The reduction of 50.26 ± 14.55 % is similar to the one observed in 115 boys treated for 14.25 ± 4.14 months with the same therapeutic regimen.We conclude, that with the persistent acceleration of BA after treatment only 6 months of high dose testosterone therapy are needed to effectively reduce height in boys with tall stature.