Growth hormone, also called GH or somatotropin, is an important hormone produced by the pituitary gland that acts on the growth of children and adolescents and is also involved in the body’s metabolic processes.
This test is performed with the dosing of blood samples taken in the laboratory and is usually requested by the endocrinologist when there is a suspected lack of GH production, especially in children who have lower than expected growth, or their overproduction, common in gigantism or acromegaly.
- The use of GH as a medicine is indicated in case of production deficit of this hormone.
- In children or adults.
- As directed by the doctor.
- To learn more about its use.
- Prices and effects of growth hormone.
- See the GH hormone label.
The GH test is asked if you suspect
Lack of GH in the body can have several causes, such as genetic diseases, brain changes, such as tumors, infections or inflammations, or due to the side effect of chemotherapy or brain radiation, for example.Excess GH usually occurs from a pituitary adenoma.
Gh hormone measurement is performed by analyzing blood samples in the laboratory and is performed in 2 ways:
The GH stimulation test is necessary because body production of the GH hormone is not uniform and may be interrupted by several factors, such as fasting, stress, sleep, sports or when the amount of glucose in the blood decreases.the drugs used are clonidine, insulin, arginine, glucagon or GHRH, which stimulate or inhibit the production of the hormone.
In addition, your doctor may also order other tests, such as measuring hormones such as the protein IGF-1 or IGFBP-3, which change with variations in GH: CEREBRO MRI, to also evaluate changes in the pituitary gland may be helpful in identifying the cause of the problem.