Human Growth Harmone (HGH)
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HGH (also called somatotropin) is a peptide hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland
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🧪 What is Human Growth Hormone (HGH)?
HGH (also called somatotropin) is a peptide hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. It plays a critical role in:
- Growth and development (especially in children)
- Metabolism of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates
- Tissue repair, muscle mass maintenance, and bone strength
❓ Why is the HGH Test Done?
To:
- Diagnose growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children and adults
- Evaluate short stature or delayed puberty in children
- Investigate gigantism or acromegaly in adults
- Monitor growth hormone therapy
- Diagnose pituitary disorders
HGH secretion is pulsatile, so random levels can be misleading. It is often assessed using stimulation or suppression tests.
📊 Normal Ranges
HGH levels vary widely depending on age, gender, and time of day.
Population | Normal Range (ng/mL or µg/L) |
|---|---|
Adults | < 5 ng/mL (fasting baseline) |
Children | 10–50 ng/mL during growth spurts |
After Stimulation (e.g., with insulin, arginine) | > 10 ng/mL in children, > 5 ng/mL in adults |
After Suppression (e.g., oral glucose) | < 1 ng/mL (normal response in healthy individuals) |
📈 Interpretation of Results
Result | Interpretation |
|---|---|
Low Baseline & Stimulation | Suggests GH deficiency – common in pituitary disorders, dwarfism |
High Baseline & Failed Suppression | Suggests GH excess – gigantism in children or acromegaly in adults |
Normal fluctuation | Seen due to pulsatile secretion, stress, exercise, sleep |
🧠 Associated Organs & Conditions
System | Conditions |
|---|---|
Pituitary | Tumors (adenoma), hypopituitarism |
Growth disorders | Dwarfism (GHD), Gigantism, Acromegaly |
Metabolic | Insulin resistance, lipid abnormalities |
Skeletal/muscle | Poor bone density, low muscle mass (in deficiency); joint pain, coarse features (in excess) |
🔄 Related / Follow-Up Tests
- IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor-1) – More stable indicator of GH activity
- GH stimulation test (e.g., with insulin, arginine, clonidine) – For suspected GH deficiency
- GH suppression test (e.g., glucose tolerance test) – For suspected acromegaly
- MRI of the pituitary – To detect tumors
- Thyroid hormones, cortisol, prolactin – Evaluate full pituitary function
✅ Fasting Required?
Test | Fasting Requirement |
|---|---|
HGH (Basal or Stimulated) | ✅ Yes – Fasting is required, especially for stimulation/suppression testing |
📝 Summary Table
Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
What | Measures levels of growth hormone produced by the pituitary gland |
Why | Diagnose growth disorders, pituitary tumors, monitor GH therapy |
Normal Range | Varies by age; <5 ng/mL in adults, >10 ng/mL after stimulation |
High Result | Suggests acromegaly or gigantism |
Low Result | Indicates GH deficiency, pituitary insufficiency |
Follow-up Tests | IGF-1, stimulation/suppression tests, pituitary MRI |
Associated Conditions | Dwarfism, gigantism, acromegaly, metabolic dysfunction |
Fasting Required | ✅ Yes |
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