Growth Hormone Test
Dr. ReshmaLast Updated on 21st March 2022Table of contents
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What is a Growth Hormone test?
- A growth hormone test is used to determine if your body produces an adequate amount of growth hormone (GH), people get the growth hormone test done. Human growth hormone, or GH, is a hormone that regulates how fast your body grows.
- In addition, it aids in regulating metabolism, the process through which your body utilises food and energy for its benefit.
- The pituitary gland, a little structure at the base of the brain, is where GH is created. As your diet and exercise habits change, so do your GH levels in the blood.
- As a result, a routine blood test rarely yields useful data about GH levels. Other compounds like hormones and proteins that have been linked to GH production are tested instead.
What is the Growth Hormone test used for?
The GH testing is useful to diagnose GH abnormalities such as:
Pituitary gland testing may also be utilised if other tests indicate a problem.
What is included in the Growth Hormone test?
The GH blood test determines how much growth hormone (GH) is present in your system. The pituitary gland is the organ responsible for producing human growth hormones. Height, bone, and muscular growth are all affected by it. Additionally, it harms bone and muscular health in the elderly. Your doctor may order other blood tests to determine if you have a GH deficiency. They will include:
- A blood test for the growth hormone IGF-1 can be performed. IGF-1 is a hormone that aids in regulating human growth hormone in the body. IGF-1 levels, in contrast to those of GH, stay constant throughout the day. In other words, it is an effective tool to determine whether or not your body is producing an appropriate amount of GH.
- IGBP-3 is the protein that carries IGF1. This test can be ordered to determine a deficit or excess of growth hormone.
Procedure for Growth Hormone test:
The GH test is a pretty simple process, and hence there is no need for you (or your child) to worry when this test is conducted.
- In the beginning, a needle will be inserted into a vein in your arm by a medical expert to collect a blood sample.
- Immediately following the procedure, a little blood sample will be drawn from the needle and placed in a vial test tube.
- Next, the pituitary gland will be stimulated to produce GH through an IV line given to your child or yourself.
- Over two hours, further blood samples will be drawn from the patient GH levels will be measured in each sample to see if they have risen.
Book a Growth Hormone to check your GH level!
How to prepare for a Growth Hormone test?
There are certain guidelines that a patient needs to follow before undergoing this test. As a result, consultation is mandatory.
After midnight, you must refrain from eating or drinking anything but water for the growth hormone test. Before the test, your doctor may advise you with specific dietary guidelines. It is recommended not to perform this Human growth hormone test if the patient is unwell. Moreover, the usage of certain medications can lead to incorrect test results, so be sure to tell your doctor about any allergies you may have. Following these guidelines will help you get the best results.
Things to consider after the Growth Hormone test is complete
- Specialist consultation is highly recommended once a Growth Hormone deficiency is detected in a patient (a child, especially).
- A paediatric endocrinologist may be consulted if your kid experiences growth failure or low height, even if there are no other indications or symptoms.
- Children’s growth and hormones are the specialities of this specialist. Doctors are frequently baffled as to why a child suffers from a GH deficit.
- The pituitary gland or the area of the brain surrounding the pituitary gland is frequently implicated as a contributing factor when a cause is identified.
- GH insufficiency can also be caused by head injuries, brain tumours, and radiation treatment to the brain.
How much does a Growth Hormone test cost?
Most cities in India charge between Rs. 400 and Rs. 500 for a Growth Hormone Test or HGH Test. Several diagnostic centres in the major metro cities in India like Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, etc. offer this test at certain discounts from time to time. As a result, you can know about the offers whenever you book such tests online. These diagnostic centres offer these tests at a pretty affordable price. Moreover, if you need to undergo any other testing related to the GH test, you can get those tests done at a reasonable price from these testing centres.
*Disclaimer: The value varies based on location, time, and your preferred lab partner.
How long does it take to get the results for the Growth Hormone test?
You can expect to get the results for the Growth Hormone test within 24 to 48 hours after the sample is collected. However, in certain cases, depending on the location, medical advice, and preferred lab partner, it may take longer.
What do abnormal Growth Hormone test results indicate?
When there is a high GH level:
- Adults with acromegaly, a condition caused by an excess of growth hormone, may have elevated GH levels.
- To validate this diagnosis, a particular test must be performed.
Gigantism is the medical term for abnormal growth that occurs when the body produces too much growth hormone in the form of a child. (A specific test confirms this diagnosis.)
- Resistance to growth hormone.
- Tumour in the pituitary gland.
When there is a low GH level:
- GH deficiency can induce slow growth in infancy and childhood, which may be a symptom of GH deficiency. (To be sure, a specialised test must be performed.)
- The term “hypopituitarism” refers to an abnormality of the pituitary gland(low function of the pituitary gland).
- This means that you may be producing too much GH in the absence of significant GH suppression. If this is the case, your GH levels should be significantly suppressed, but they remain higher during the GH suppression test.
- This suggests that you may be producing too much of the hormone. A pituitary tumour (usually benign) is likely present if a mass is seen on an imaging scan (typically MRI).
- When GH levels rise after a successful tumour treatment, it may indicate a recurrence.
Disclaimer: Please consult with your doctor to interpret the test reports.
Is Growth Hormone a definitive test?
- The body’s ability to create growth hormone (GH) is assessed using a stimulation test for GH. Human growth hormone deficiency is typically detected with the growth hormone stimulation test.
- To detect growth hormone insufficiency and assess pituitary gland function, growth hormone (GH) testing is often utilised as a follow-up to other aberrant pituitary hormone results.
- As a result, to detect hormone problems restricting growth and development (especially a child), the GH test is a must as it provides the most accurate results.
- To know the best benefits of such testing, it is recommended that you consult your physician.
Why book a Growth Hormone test?
When it comes to growth hormone (GH) levels, the normal range is:
- For adult men, between 0.4 and 10 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL), or 18 to 44 picomoles per litre.
- 1 to 14 ng/mL (44 pmol/L) for adult females
- GH levels range from 440 to 2200 pmol/L in children, or 10 to 50 ng/mL.
- There are differences in the size and duration of the pulses based on the time of day, age, and gender. This explains why GH levels taken at random are so useless. In this case, a higher level may be acceptable.
- A lower amount might be normal if the blood was drawn at the end of a pulse. A stimulation or suppression test is where GH is most useful. The range of normal values may be slightly varied in different laboratory settings.
- Measurements of specimens used by some laboratories may differ from those used by others. You should discuss the significance of your specific test results with your healthcare professional.
Table:
Age | Test | Result* |
---|---|---|
Age less than 18 | GH stimulation | >5ng/ml or <10 ng/ml |
Age less than 18 | GH stimulation | <1ng/ml |
Age =18 or more | GH stimulation | > 4ng/ml |
Age =18 or more | GH suppression | < 1ng/ml |
*Results denote the peak concentration levels based on guidelines.
Book a Growth Hormone test to check your GH level!
Why book a Growth Hormone test?
- Growth hormone is vital to child development: When it comes to children’s development, growth hormone (GH) is critical. It aids in the development of healthy bone structure from birth through adolescence.
- The growth hormone’s function: The growth hormone aids in the regulation of the body’s rate of energy production from food (metabolism) and the production of lipids, proteins, and glucose in both children and adults (sugar). Red blood cell synthesis and muscle mass are also regulated by it.
- The pituitary gland produces hormones: It is a tiny gland behind the bridge of the nose near the base of the brain, is responsible for the production of growth hormones.
- Hepatic excretion: Hepatic excretion occurs in bursts, with peaks predominantly at night, during the day, and night. Because of this, a single blood GH level measurement is difficult to interpret and is rarely clinically relevant.
- Sample: If the sample is obtained during a pulse, the value will be higher than that taken between pulses.
- Growth hormone stimulation and suppression testing: Therefore, growth hormone stimulation and suppression tests are the most often utilized procedures to identify growth hormone insufficiency or excess.
- Symptoms: Symptoms and growth factor levels (such as IGF-1 and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein) are used in conjunction with these procedures.
- GH test in acromegaly: The GH test can also be used to check the efficacy of treatment for acromegaly.
Growth Hormone test at home – how does it work?
The Growth Hormone test is just like any other blood test. A lab technician visits your home when you book your tests through the MFine app. The lab technician first cleans the arm and then inserts a syringe into a vein. The required amount of blood is then taken into a vial. The lab technician then removes the needle and places cotton wool or a bandage over the prick.
Are there any risks involved with a Growth Hormone test?
Having your blood drawn poses little risk. The size of the veins and arteries in the body varies from person to person and from side to side. Individuals with different levels of cooperation may have different difficulties when it comes to obtaining blood samples.
There might be a slight danger linked with blood collection, which could include the following symptoms:
- excessive bleeding
- lightheadedness, or fainting
- many punctures to locate veins
- a build-up of blood under the skin called a hematoma
- infection, or
- a combination of the above (There is a little risk whenever the skin is damaged or torn.)
What can affect the results of the Growth Hormone test?
Taking the following medicines could significantly affect the results of a GH test. So avoid them before testing.
- L-Arginine: This medication might induce low blood sugar, which can cause your kid to feel dizzy or ill.
- Clonidine: To reduce blood pressure, clonidine is the drug of choice. Dizziness and lightheadedness are the most typical adverse effects. They may also experience dry lips, dry eyes, or impaired vision for a few hours. These negative effects can linger for up to 24 hours after taking the medication. However, after a decent night’s sleep, your youngster should be well the next day.
- Glucagon: If you use Glucagon, you run the risk of having low blood sugar, resulting in nausea and vomiting. Your child will feel better once the test is over if he or she has something to eat.
- Cortrosyn: When using Cortrosyn, you may have a metallic aftertaste in your mouth and a flushed, warm face.
Book a Growth Hormone test to check your Growth Hormone level!
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Frequently Asked Questions | FAQs
Is the lab technician coming for Growth Hormone test sample collection vaccinated?
Yes. Our lab technicians are fully vaccinated. Further, they also ensure safety by wearing masks and gloves and frequently sanitising themselves during sample collection.
Does MFine provide the interpretation for the results along with the reports?
Yes, MFine provides the interpretation for the result along with the reports. You can also avail a free medical consultation with a doctor to understand your reports accurately. The doctor will also advise and prescribe medicines, if required, based on the results.
How can I download my Growth Hormone test report?
- Login to MFine
- Go to your profile
- Click on Attachment and Reports
- Click on Lab Report
- Download the report
Are there any discount offers running on the Growth Hormone test?
Usually, you can avail yourself up to a 50% discount on the Growth Hormone test through MFine. However, the discount and test price may vary based on lab partner and location.
Is there a way to tell when your HGH has been released?
When you sleep, most of your HGH is released in bursts. Circadian rhythm is a term used to describe the internal clock in your body that generates these pulses. Before midnight, the greatest pulses occur, with smaller pulses occurring in the early morning. As a result, it is an indicator that the HGH is released.
Is growth hormone released at a specific age?
There is a specific age for the release of growth hormones. At the age of five, the height of small children is likely to be compared to that of their peers, which is when the first peak occurs. Girls between the ages of 10 and 13 and boys between the ages of 12 and 16 are at their peak.
If growth hormone insufficiency is not addressed, what are the consequences?
Growth hormone is a very vital component of a child’s development. As a result, due attention should be given if issues are detected in a child’s growth. A rise in LDL (bad) cholesterol and osteoporosis can occur if growth hormone insufficiency is not detected and addressed. Therefore, in such cases, a doctor’s consultation is a must.
What is the cause of a lack of hGH?
Damage to the pituitary gland or another organ called the hypothalamus might result in a GH shortage. Congenital damage might be present from birth, or it can develop during or after delivery (acquired). It’s a pea-sized gland found at the base of the brain. It’s the body’s most important endocrine gland.
Growth hormone deficiency causes what disease?
- Dwarfism (GHD) is also known as pituitary dwarfism or growth hormone deficit.
- It is a disorder that occurs when the body does not produce enough growth hormones.
- GHD is characterised by abnormally short stature and normal body proportions in children with the disorder.
- Gestational hypertension disease (GHD) can be present at birth or develop later in life.
What is the procedure for diagnosing growth hormone insufficiency in adults?
GHD cannot be diagnosed with a single, straightforward, and risk-free test. The ITT or insulin tolerance test is considered the gold standard for diagnosing GHD biochemically in adults. The timely treatment for GHD might result in a significant improvement in growth deficiency issues, and it has been a proven fact as per a few medical theories.
Disclaimer: The content is uniquely informative and is meant for educational use. Kindly use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified or registered healthcare provider.