**EXPERT AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS**

ENDOCRINE SOCIETY EXPERTS CAN PROVIDE PERSPECTIVE ON ARMSTRONG AND PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING DRUGS

Chevy Chase, MD (January 22, 2013)— With Lance Armstrong’s recent confession on using illegal substances, including human growth hormone and testosterone, in athletic competition, the world once more turns its attention to the issue of performance-enhancing drugs. Endocrine Society members Alan Rogol, MD, an expert on growth hormone, and Shalender Bhasin, MD, an expert on steroids, are prepared to offer comment on the many questions surrounding this issue, including:

• What is growth hormone and why do some athletes take it? • Is there evidence that shows growth hormone or steroid use can provide an edge in athletic competition? • How are athletes tested for growth hormone or steroid use?• Where do athletes get growth hormone or steroids?• What are the health consequences of growth hormone or steroid use?

The Endocrine Society and its members are deeply concerned about the abuse of these powerful drugs. The Endocrine Society’s Position Statement detailing the appropriate uses for steroids and the dangers of abuse is available at http://www.endo-society.org/advocacy/policy/upload/Steroid-Abuse-Position-Statement-w-Header.pdf.

WHO: Dr. Alan Rogol, MD Representative of The Endocrine Society Professor, University of Virginia

Dr. Shalender Bhasin, MD Representative of The Endocrine Society Professor, Boston University School of Medicine

WHAT: Drs. Rogol and Bhasin, leading endocrinologists, are available to discuss the misuse of growth hormone and steroids in athletic competition.

CONTACT: To schedule an interview, please contact Jenni Glenn Gingery at [email protected] or 301-941-0240.

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Founded in 1916, The Endocrine Society is the world’s oldest, largest and most active organization devoted to research on hormones and the clinical practice of endocrinology. Today, The Endocrine Society’s membership consists of over 16,000 scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students in more than 100 countries. Society members represent all basic, applied and clinical interests in endocrinology. The Endocrine Society is based in Chevy Chase, Maryland. To learn more about the Society and the field of endocrinology, visit our site at www.endo-society.org. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/EndoMedia.