Glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in patients with Turner syndrome treated with growth hormone

The authors investigated the effect of growth hormone treatment on 20 Turner syndrome patients. The aim was to assess glucose and insulin responses to oral glucose loading in 9 prepubertal and 11 pubertal patients with Turner syndrome. Thirty eight healthy subjects matched for chronological age and BMI were selected as controls. Similar glucose responses were observed in the prepubertal and postpubertal patients groups and no difference was found between patients and controls. No correlation was observed between glycaemic control of insulin sensitivity and growth hormone treatment. Although the supraphysiological doses of growth hormone did not result in substantial impairement in glucose tolerance, it is concluded that hyperinsulinaemia could be a consequence of the treatment and regular check up for glycaemic control is needed in these patients.