CONSENT FOR HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE (HGH) REPLACEMENT

I, the undersigned, authorize and give my Informed Consent to Advanced Wellness West Valley Medical Group, Inc. and Allen Lawrence, M.D. for the administration of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) Replacement Therapy.

Indications and Expected Benefits of Human Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy:

• I understand that prescription HGH has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency (AGHD). This condition is determined from medical history, physical findings and laboratory test results.
• I understand that HGH replacement therapy may result in improvements in my health associated with declining growth hormone levels, which may include one or more of the following,
  improved: muscle mass, strength, exercise capacity, bone density, immune function, skin thickness wound healing, memory, lung function, and heart function.
• I also understand that my health care provider cannot guarantee any health benefits or that there will be no harm from the use of HGH.

Risks and Human Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy:

• I have been fully informed, and I am satisfied with my understanding, that this treatment may be viewed by the medical community as new, controversial and unnecessary by the FDA.
• I understand that while the application of HGH has been utilized in adults for more than 12 years, its long-term effects remain undetermined.
• I understand that HGH is contraindicated when there is any evidence of neoplastic (cancer) activity, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, pulmonary fibrosis, or recent coronary angioplasty. Intracranial lesions must be inactive and anti-tumor therapy complete prior to institution of therapy. HGH should be discontinued if there is evidence of tumor growth. It should not be initiated to treat patients with acute critical illness due to complications following open heart or abdominal surgery, multiple accidental traumas, or to patients having acute respiratory failure. Caution is required when HGH is administered to patients with diabetes mellitus, as insulin dosage may need to be adjusted.
• While the New England Journal of Medicine, October 1999, concluded, “There is no evidence that HGH replacement therapy affects the risk of cancer or cardiovascular disease,” I understand that questions have been raised about HGH as a cause of cancer, since it is an anabolic hormone and makes things grow.

Side Effects of Human Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy:

• I understand that negative or uncomfortable side effects may occur with the use of HGH.
• Possible negative or uncomfortable side effects include, but are not limited to: edema (swelling) of the hands and ankles, paresthesia’s (numbness and tingling in the hands), arthralgia’s (joint aching), slight bruising at the injection site, and glucose intolerance, at least initially, where blood sugar is higher for a given amount of sugar or equivalent consumed. Excess doses may result in fluid retention in the hands and feet. Continued fluid retention could lead to headaches and/or joint pain, and possibly carpal tunnel syndrome, increased blood pressure or insulin dependence.

Alternatives to Human Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy:

I am totally and completely satisfied with my understanding of the reasonable alternatives to HGH replacement therapy, which include:

• Leaving the hormone levels as they are and doing nothing. Risks may include, but are not limited to, experiencing symptoms of growth hormone deficiency and an increased risk for aging-related diseases or dysfunction resulting from declining growth hormone levels. This alternative may result in the need to treat diseases or dysfunction associated with declining growth hormone levels as they appear clinically
• Treating the symptoms of declining growth hormone levels as they develop with non-hormonal therapies or with Sermorelin. Risks may include, but are not limited to: increased risk for aging-related diseases resulting from declining hormone levels.

My Compliance Obligations While Receiving Human Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy:

I agree to comply with the proposed treatment and therapy as prescribed, including the fact that I may be responsible for injecting the HGH prescribed to me, and consent to periodic monitoring when requested, which may include:

• Laboratory monitoring of blood or urine chemistries and hormone levels
• Physical examinations
• Regular screening evaluations
• I agree to notify my health care provider regarding all signs or symptoms of possible negative reactions to my HGH therapy.
• I agree to comply with all other healthy lifestyle activities that have been individually recommended for me. I have completely disclosed my medical history, including prescription and non-prescription medications that I am currently taking or plan to take during my treatment, as well as any other over-the-counter medications, recreational drugs or social substances, herbs, extracts and other dietary supplements to you. I agree to comply with the recommendations regarding the continuation or discontinuation of these preparations.
• In the future, I will receive recommendations in advance from you before stopping any of the prescribed therapeutic regimens or taking any additional preparations that are not suggested or prescribed by you.
• I also understand that the use of “social substances” (illegal, unprescribed or street drugs) may affect my therapy in a significantly adverse manner.
• I certify that I am under the care of a physician(s) for any and all other known medical conditions.

Research and Economic Interests:
I understand that neither Advanced Wellness West Valley Medical Group nor Allen Lawrence, M.D. are engaged in any professional research nor do they have any economic interests unrelated to your immediate care or treatment for the problems you have presented with. The use of HGH is yours and your physician’s choice of treatment based on medical judgment and medical judgment alone, no economic interests.

I certify that I have been given the opportunity to ask any and all of the questions I have concerning the proposed treatment, and that I have received all of requested information and all questions were answered to my satisfaction. I fully understand that I have the right to not consent to HGH hormone replacement therapy, and that I have the right to stop it at any time I desire. I believe I have adequate knowledge upon which to base an informed consent.

I do now attest to reading and fully understanding this form and the contents and clinical meanings of such, and having discussed these procedures with my health care provider, and consent to this treatment. I hereby affix my signature to this authorization for this proposed long-term treatment. I have been given a copy of this consent form, and I understand fully any and all of the possibly represented implications and meanings of its writing and expectations.

Patient (Print Name):

_____________________________________________________________________________

Patient Signature: __________________________________________ Date: ______________

Physician Signature: ________________________________________ Date: ______________