Why is this procedure done?
Growth hormone is also called GH. When doctors measure the amount of GH in your blood, it is GH testing. Your pituitary gland is a small gland near the base of your brain. It makes GH and releases it in pulses throughout the day. GH helps your body grow and develop. It also helps your body use food for energy. The amount of GH in your blood may rise and fall throughout the day. Growth hormone levels can change due to exercise, sleep, certain drugs, blood sugar levels, stress, and diet. Your doctor may order a GH test to: ‚
- Check how well your pituitary gland is working
- Know if you have too much or not enough GH
- See how well treatment for too much GH is working
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What will the results be?
- The doctor will look at the results of your test and what is normal. The doctor will know about the GH levels in your body.
- The results are based on the kind of growth hormone testing you are having.
- Your doctor may order another test to be sure that the test results are correct.
- The doctor will talk with you about treatment.
What happens before the procedure?
- Talk to your doctor about all the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Your doctor may give you special instructions to follow before the test. Your doctor may tell you:
- Do not eat or drink anything for 12 hours before the test.
- Do not exercise or do any other physical activities for 12 hours before the test.
- To stop taking certain drugs. Talk to your doctor about this.
What happens during the procedure?
This testing may be done in one of two ways. It is based on if your doctor thinks you have too much or too little GH. ‚
GH Suppression Testing ‚
- You will have a small amount of blood taken from you with a needle. You may have a small amount of pain. The needle will be taken out and a bandage will be put on your skin. The lab will test your blood for GH levels.
- You will drink a mix of sugar and water within 5 minutes.
- Your doctor will take your blood a few more times 1 to 2 hours after you drink the mix.
GH Stimulation Testing ‚
- Your doctor will place a small thin tube (I.V.) into your arm.
- Your doctor will give you drugs through the I.V.
- You will have a small amount of blood taken from you with a needle. You may have a small amount of pain. The needle will be taken out and a bandage will be put on your skin. The lab will test your blood for GH levels.
- Your doctor will take a few blood samples over a few hours.
What happens after the procedure?
- You may want to sit quietly for a few minutes before standing up. This will help keep you from feeling dizzy after the test.
- Ask your doctor when you will get the results.
What care is needed at home?
You may do your everyday activities when you get back home. ‚
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. This test will help your doctor understand if you have a problem with your GH level. Together you can make a plan for more care.
- Your doctor may ask you to see a hormone doctor called an endocrinologist if your test result is not normal.
What problems could happen?
- Pain at needle insertion site
- Bruising at needle site
- Bleeding at needle site
- Feeling dizzy
- Infection at needle site
Where can I learn more?
American Association for Clinical Chemistry ‚
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/growth-hormone/tab/test ‚
National Organization for Rare Disorders ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/866/viewAbstract ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚