Lupron therapy

[[File:Leuprorelin.svg|thumb|right|165px|Leuprorelin or lupron]]
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'''Lupron therapy''' is a discredited treatment for [[autism]], based on the false premise that autism is related to [[vaccine hysteria|vaccination]], [[mercury]], hormones, and gut integrity.

==Origins==
The idea seems to have originated ''[[PIDOOMA|ex culo]]'', or, rather, from the "minds" of [[Geier family|Mark and David Geier]], a father-son team who peddle [[chelation]] and Lupron therapy to families with [[Autism|autistic children]] and more money than [[critical thinking]] skills. {{wpl|Lupron|Lupron}} (known as leuprorelin or leuprolide acetate) is a potent anti-androgen. It is used as a form of "chemical [[castration]]"{{efn|"Chemical castration" is something of a misnomer, since it is generally reversible.<ref>[https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22402-chemical-castration "Chemical Castration"]. ''Cleveland Clinic''.</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Iati |first=Marisa |date=2019-06-06 |title=State lawmakers voted to force ‘chemical castration’ on sex offenders. Medical experts urge caution. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2019/06/05/lawmakers-voted-force-chemical-castration-sex-offenders-medical-experts-urge-caution/ |access-date=2024-08-04 |work=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>}} for men with prostate cancer, for women with uterine fibroid tumors, and in a few other rare medical situations, such as precocious puberty. The Geiers assert that [[thimerosal]], a mercury-containing preservative often used in vaccines in the 20<sup>th</sup> century,<ref>[https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/safety-availability-biologics/thimerosal-and-vaccines FDA.gov]</ref> causes autism, and that [[chelation therapy]] can remove it. They claim that testosterone binds with mercury in such a way as to prevent chelation; to combat this, they prescribe Lupron, which supposedly reduces testosterone levels and thereby enables chelation.<ref>Geier MR, Geier DA. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15780490/ "The potential importance of steroids in the treatment of autistic spectrum disorders and other disorders involving mercury toxicity"]. Medical Hypotheses. 2005; 64(5):946-54.</ref>

==Quackery==
===Invalid starting hypothesis===
As discussed [[Vaccine hysteria|elsewhere]], the [[thimerosal]]-autism hypothesis has been disproved, as has chelation therapy for autism.

===Shady methods===
The Geiers publish in [[Pseudojournal|less-than-respectable journals]] that avoid [[peer review]]. They appear to have set up a sham "institute" in order to form an IRB (institutional review board) consisting of friends and supporters, in order to conduct research on human subjects without the usual oversight.<ref>Geier DA. Geier MR. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17187010/ "A clinical trial of combined anti-androgen and anti-heavy metal therapy in autistic disorders"]. [Clinical Trial. Journal Article. Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't] ''Neuroendocrinology Letters''. 27(6):833-8, 2006 Dec.</ref>

===Lack of scientific support===
The scientific community has not embraced the Geiers' cause. A Medline search of "autism and leuprolide (Lupron)" returns only six hits, two of which are from the Geiers.<ref>[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=autism%20and%20leuprolide%20%28Lupron%29 autism and leuprolide (Lupron) - PubMed - NCBI]</ref>

==Summary==
Treatment of autism with Lupron is not only scientifically bankrupt, it is also irresponsible and dangerous. It is based on false premises and is unsupported by scientific evidence. 
#Thimerosal and mercury are not shown to cause autism.
#Androgens are not shown to potentiate this unproven association.
#Androgen deprivation in children has not been shown to help with autism.

It is reasonable to posit that androgen deprivation in children, especially, but not exclusively males, may have profound biological and behavioral effects. Hormone suppression in pursuit of a fake autism "cure" may be good for business, but it is bad medicine.

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150413095721/http://www.wellsphere.com/wellpage/effects-of-lupron "Effects Of Lupron"], Wellsphere
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120226132816/http://neurodiversity.com/weblog/article/83/ "Autism & Lupron: Playing With Fire"], Neurodiversity weblog
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060412160358/http://autismdiva.blogspot.com/2006/04/more-lupron-lunacy-geier-and-his.html "More Lupron Lunacy: Geier and his patent apps"], Autism Diva
*[https://www.respectfulinsolence.com/2006/03/19/prometheus-on-armchair-science/ "Prometheus on 'armchair science'"], [[Respectful Insolence]]
*[https://www.respectfulinsolence.com/2006/02/23/why-not-just-castrate-them-1/ "Why not just castrate them?"], Respectful Insolence

==See also==
*[[Autism omnibus trial]]

==Notes==
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==References==
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[[Category:Autism woo]]
[[Category:Alternative medicine]]
[[Category:Mental health woo]]
[[Category:Pseudoscience]]

Categories: Autism woo, Alternative medicine, Mental health woo, Pseudoscience