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Growth Hormone DiagnosisChildren and adults suspected of having growth hormone irregularities are typically referred to endocrinologists, who have additional medical training and experience diagnosing and treating disorders of the endocrine glands, such as the pituitary. Whether a person's body is under- or overproducing growth hormone, the treatment goal is the same—to normalize the body's growth hormone level and treat any secondary symptoms. Blood tests are used to measure a person's growth hormone level. Unfortunately, growth hormone levels vary throughout the day, making it difficult to measure growth hormone levels accurately. To solve this problem, growth hormone tests are typically repeated several times, and the average level is then computed and used to make a diagnosis. The growth hormone tests commonly used include: Growth hormone stimulation test
This test measures the ability of the pituitary gland to secrete growth hormone after the administration of arginine (an amino acid) or growth hormone-releasing hormone (produced by the hypothalamus). If the test doesn't raise growth hormone levels, a growth hormone deficiency condition is suspected (such as pituitary dwarfism or hypopituitarism). Growth hormone suppression test (glucose loading test)
This test measures growth hormone suppression during a fasting blood sugar test. If the test doesn't lower growth hormone levels, a growth hormone excess condition is suspected (such as gigantism or acromegaly).
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