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Nature Reviews Endocrinology 2, 650–651 (1 December 2006) | doi:10.1038/ncpendmet0350

Less is more risky? Growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 levels and cardiovascular risk

Patrick Maison & Philippe Chanson

Elevated levels of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) in conditions such as acromegaly have been implicated in increased cardiovascular risk. The authors of this Viewpoint argue, however, that hormone deficiency might pose a greater risk than hormone excess, and ask the question—what levels of GH and IGF1 can be considered 'safe'?