Growth hormone test

What Is A Growth Hormone Test?

A growth hormone (GH) test measures the amount of human growth hormone (GH) in a blood sample. It’s used to diagnose a growth hormone deficiency in children and adults and to see if a tumor is the cause of the deficiency. GH is normally taken up from the bloodstream by the liver, where it’s then converted to its active form, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). A GH test measures both GH and IGF-I.

The Precautions To Do Before The Test

• Talk to your doctor about any medications you’re taking, including vitamins and supplements. Some medications can interfere with the results of the test.
• The doctor may also ask that you stop taking certain types of medication that may interfere with the test, such as insulin or oral contraceptives.
• Inform the doctor of any allergies you have or if you have any medical conditions.
• If you’re pregnant, tell the doctor. In women, pregnancy can affect the results of the test.

Procedure of The Test

A growth hormone test is a quick, usually painless procedure. The test is performed in a doctor’s office, hospital, or laboratory. Here’s what you can expect:

• The doctor will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm using a needle.
• The health care provider may apply a tourniquet to your arm to make the vein more visible.
• The doctor will first clean the area, and then insert the needle into the vein.
• Once the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a vial or syringe.
• After the needle is removed, the doctor will apply pressure to the puncture site for a few minutes. This will help stop any bleeding.

Types of Growth Hormone Test

Growth hormone testing typically uses two different tests to measure the activity of GH in your bloodstream:

• The short synacthen test (SST) measures the amount of GH that’s released over a short period of time after an injection of the hormone synacthen.
• The insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) test measures levels of IGF-1 in the blood, which is produced by the liver. It’s a more reliable way to measure GH deficiency, since levels of GH in the blood can vary greatly over the course of a day.