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Growth hormone test
GH test
The growth hormone test measures the amount of growth hormone in the blood.
The pituitary gland makes growth hormone, which causes a child to grow. This gland is located at the base of the brain.
How the Test is Performed
A blood sample is needed.
Blood sample
Venipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein. It is most often done for laboratory testing.
How to Prepare for the Test
Your health care provider may give you special instructions about what you can or cannot eat before the test.
How the Test will Feel
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.
Why the Test is Performed
This hormone may be checked if a person's growth pattern is abnormal or if another condition is suspected.
-
Too much growth hormone (GH) can cause abnormally increased growth patterns. In adults this is called
acromegaly
. In children it is called
gigantism
.
Acromegaly
Acromegaly is a condition in which there is too much growth hormone in the body.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleGigantism
Gigantism is abnormal growth due to an excess of growth hormone during childhood.
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Too little growth hormone
can cause a slow or flat rate of growth in
children
. In adults it can cause changes in energy, muscle mass, cholesterol levels, and bone strength.
Too little growth hormone
Growth hormone deficiency means the pituitary gland does not make enough growth hormone.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleChildren
Growth hormone deficiency means the pituitary gland does not make enough growth hormone.
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The GH test may also be used to monitor response to acromegaly treatment.
Normal Results
The normal range for GH level is typically:
- 1 through 9 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) for males
- 1 through 16 ng/mL for females
GH is released in pulses. The size and duration of the pulses varies with time of day, age, and gender. This is why random GH measurements are rarely useful. A higher level may be normal if the blood was drawn during a pulse. A lower level may be normal if the blood was drawn around the end of a pulse. GH is most useful when measured as part of a stimulation or suppression test.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different specimens. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
A high level of GH may indicate:
-
Too much GH in adults, called acromegaly. (A
special test
is done to confirm this diagnosis.)
Special test
The growth hormone suppression test determines whether growth hormone production is being suppressed by high blood sugar.
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Abnormal growth due to excess GH during childhood, called gigantism. (A
special test
is done to confirm this diagnosis.)
Special test
The growth hormone suppression test determines whether growth hormone production is being suppressed by high blood sugar.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - GH resistance.
-
Pituitary tumor
.
Pituitary tumor
A pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth in the pituitary gland. The pituitary is a small gland at the base of the brain. It regulates the body's ba...
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A low level of GH may indicate:
-
Slow growth noticed in infancy or childhood, caused by low levels of GH (A
special test
is done to confirm this diagnosis.)
Special test
The growth hormone (GH) stimulation test measures the ability of the body to produce GH.
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Hypopituitarism
(low function of the pituitary gland.)
Hypopituitarism
Hypopituitarism is a condition in which the pituitary gland does not produce normal amounts of some or all of its hormones.
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Risks
Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another, and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling lightheaded
- Hematoma (blood buildup under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
References
Ali O. Hyperpituitarism, tall stature, and overgrowth syndromes. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2015:chap 560.
Cooke DW, Divall SA, Radovick S. Normal and aberrant growth in children. In: Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, Kronenberg HM, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology . 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 24.
Maitra A. The endocrine system. In: Kumar V, Abbas AK, Aster JC, eds. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease . 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 24.
Review Date: 2/3/2016
Reviewed By: Brent Wisse, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Nutrition, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
