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Human Growth Harmone (HGH)

Hormone/ Element
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Report in 4Hrs

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At Home

fastingrequire

Fasting Required

Details

HGH (also called somatotropin) is a peptide hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland

₹249₹660

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Human Growth Hormone (HGH) Test Information Guide

  • Why is it done?
    • What the test measures: The HGH test measures the level of human growth hormone in the blood. Growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland and regulates growth, metabolism, and body composition throughout life.
    • Primary indications for testing: Evaluating abnormal growth in children; investigating short stature or growth retardation; assessing growth hormone deficiency in adults; detecting acromegaly or gigantism; monitoring growth hormone replacement therapy; evaluating pituitary disorders.
    • Typical timing and circumstances: Usually performed during early morning hours when HGH levels are typically higher; may be ordered as part of pediatric growth screening; performed when clinical signs of growth disorders appear; used in follow-up of pituitary or hypothalamic diseases.
  • Normal Range
    • Reference ranges: Normal fasting HGH levels are typically less than 5 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter) in adults, though levels can be higher during sleep, exercise, and stress. In children, normal HGH levels range from 0.7 to 3.0 ng/mL. Reference ranges may vary between laboratories.
    • Unit of measurement: ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter) or mIU/L (milli-international units per liter) depending on laboratory standards.
    • Interpreting results - Low values: Below normal HGH levels may indicate growth hormone deficiency, pituitary dysfunction, or hypothyroidism. In children, this may cause short stature and developmental delays.
    • Interpreting results - High values: Elevated HGH levels may suggest acromegaly (in adults), gigantism (in children), pituitary tumors, or other pituitary disorders. Stress, exercise, and certain medications can also cause temporary elevations.
    • What normal values mean: Normal HGH levels indicate appropriate pituitary function and normal growth hormone production. However, a single HGH measurement may not be definitive due to natural fluctuations throughout the day.
  • Interpretation
    • Low HGH levels (< 3 ng/mL): May indicate growth hormone deficiency syndrome (GHD), suggesting pituitary or hypothalamic disease. In children, associated with short stature and delayed growth. In adults, linked to reduced muscle mass, increased body fat, and decreased bone density.
    • High HGH levels (> 10 ng/mL): May indicate acromegaly (hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma in adults), gigantism (in children before epiphyseal plate closure), or other pituitary tumors. Can also result from stress, exercise, or sleep.
    • Factors affecting readings: Time of day (HGH peaks during sleep and early morning); physical activity and exercise; stress levels; medications; age; nutritional status; sleep quality; blood glucose levels; estrogen and testosterone levels; recent illness or trauma.
    • Clinical significance: Single HGH measurements may be inconclusive due to pulsatile secretion; stimulation tests (insulin tolerance test, arginine stimulation) and suppression tests (glucose suppression test) are often needed for definitive diagnosis. IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1) measurement may provide more consistent results.
  • Associated Organs
    • Primary organ system: Endocrine system, specifically the anterior pituitary gland (adenohypophysis) which produces growth hormone under control of the hypothalamus.
    • Related organs and systems: Hypothalamus (controls GH release via GHRH and somatostatin); liver (produces IGF-1 in response to GH); skeletal system (bone growth and remodeling); muscular system (protein synthesis and muscle growth); adipose tissue (fat metabolism).
    • Associated diseases and conditions: Growth hormone deficiency syndrome; acromegaly; gigantism; pituitary adenomas; pituitary dwarfism; Turner syndrome (in girls); Prader-Willi syndrome; hypopituitarism; pituitary apoplexy; hypothyroidism; diabetes mellitus complications.
    • Potential complications of abnormal HGH: Low HGH: growth failure in children, reduced bone density (osteoporosis risk), decreased muscle mass, increased cardiovascular risk, metabolic syndrome. High HGH: joint pain and arthritis, nerve compression syndromes (carpal tunnel), hypertension, glucose intolerance or diabetes, increased cancer risk, cardiac complications.
  • Follow-up Tests
    • Confirmatory and functional tests: Insulin tolerance test (ITT) or arginine stimulation test for low HGH; glucose suppression test for elevated HGH; 24-hour urinary GH; measurement of IGF-1 (more stable marker of GH secretion); IGFBP-3 (IGF-binding protein 3).
    • Pituitary and endocrine evaluation: Thyroid function tests (TSH, free T4); prolactin levels; ACTH and cortisol; gonadotropins (FSH, LH); testosterone or estrogen; pituitary MRI to assess for adenoma; visual field testing if pituitary tumor suspected.
    • Growth and metabolic assessment: Bone age radiographs (for growth concerns); DEXA scan for bone mineral density; glucose tolerance test or fasting glucose; lipid panel; metabolic panel; height and growth velocity measurements.
    • Monitoring frequency for ongoing conditions: Patients on GH replacement therapy: IGF-1 and HGH levels every 6-12 months; patients with acromegaly: IGF-1 and GH levels every 3-6 months during treatment; children with growth disorders: growth measurements every 3-6 months; follow-up MRI as clinically indicated.
  • Fasting Required?
    • Fasting requirement: NO - Fasting is not strictly required for HGH testing; however, the patient should be at rest for 30 minutes before blood draw.
    • Optimal test conditions: Early morning collection (between 7-11 AM) preferred, as HGH levels are naturally higher after sleep; patient should be in seated or supine position for at least 30 minutes before blood draw to minimize stress-induced elevations.
    • Patient preparation instructions: Avoid strenuous exercise for at least 12 hours before testing; avoid stress if possible; notify healthcare provider of current medications; dress comfortably to allow proper blood draw; arrive 10-15 minutes early to allow rest period.
    • Medications to avoid: Inform provider if taking: corticosteroids (can suppress HGH); estrogen therapy; certain antipsychotics; levodopa; alpha-adrenergic agonists; insulin; thyroid medications. Do NOT discontinue medications without medical advice; timing of sample collection may be adjusted instead.
    • Special considerations: If stimulation or suppression testing is ordered, specific instructions will be provided; water intake is acceptable; light snack is usually acceptable unless stated otherwise by provider; adequate sleep the night before test is recommended.

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