Growth hormone stimulation test

 

Alternative Names

Arginine test; Arginine-GHRH test

Definition

The growth hormone (GH) stimulation test measures the ability of  the body to produce GH.

How the Test is Performed

Blood is drawn several times. Blood samples are taken through an intravenous (IV) line instead of re-inserting the needle each time.The test takes between 2 to 5 hours.

The procedure is done the following way:

  • An IV is usually placed in a vein, most often the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is first cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic).
  • The first sample is drawn early in the morning.
  • Medicine is given through the vein. This medicine stimulates the pituitary gland to release GH. Several medicines are available. The doctor will decide which medicine is best.
  • Additional blood samples are drawn over the next few hours.
  • After the last sample is taken, the IV line is removed. Pressure is applied to stop any bleeding.

How to Prepare for the Test

Do not eat for 10 to 12 hours before the test. Eating food can change the test results.

Some medicines can affect the test results. Ask your health care provider if you should stop taking any of your medicines before the test.

If your child will have this test, explain how the test will feel. You may want to demonstrate on a doll. The more familiar your child is with what will happen and the purpose of the procedure, the less anxiety he or she will feel.

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 sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. These soon go away.

Why the Test is Performed

This test is most often done to find out whether GH deficiency is causing slowed growth.

Normal Results

  • Normal peak value -- at least 10 ng/mL
  • Indeterminate -- 5 - 10 ng/mL
  • Subnormal -- 5 ng/mL

(A normal value rules out hGH deficiency; in some laboratories, the normal level is 7 ng/mL.)

Note: ng/mL = nanogram per milliliter.

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean

If this test does not raise GH levels, there is a reduced amount of hGH stored in the anterior pituitary.

In children, this results in growth hormone deficiency. In adults, it may be linked to panhypopituitarism or adult growth hormone deficiency.

Risks

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient 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 accumulating under the skin)
  • Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

Medicines that stimulate the pituitary during the test may cause side effects. The doctor can tell you more about this.

References

Parks JS, Felner EI. Hypopituitarism. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 551.

Guber HA, Farag AF. Evaluation of endocrine function. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry’' Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 24.

Melmed S, Kleinberg D, Ho K. Pituitary physiology and diagnostic evaluation. In: Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, Kronenberg HM, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 8.

Cooke DW, Divall SA, Radovick S. Normal and aberrant growth. In: Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, Kronenberg HM, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 24.

Review Date: 8/22/2013
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Bethanne Black, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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