Growth hormone deficiency laboratory findings
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Laboratory Findings
In children,
- Low levels of IGF1, IGF2, IGF binding protein 3
- Subnormal frequency and amplitude of GH secretory peaks when sampled over several hours
- Subnormal GH secretion in response to at least two provocative stimuli
- Increased IGF1 levels after a few days of GH treatment
In adults,
- Higher cholesterol levels
- Low IGF1 level
- Subnormal frequency and amplitude of GH secretory peaks when tracked over several hours
- Subnormal GH secretion in response to at least two provocative stimuli
Provocative Tests
- "Provocative tests" involve giving a dose of an agent that will normally provoke a pituitary to release a burst of growth hormone. An intravenous line is established, the agent is given, and small amounts of blood are drawn at 15 minute intervals over the next hour to determine if a rise of GH was provoked.
- Agents which have been used clinically to stimulate and assess GH secretion are arginine, levodopa, clonidine, epinephrine and propranolol, glucagon and insulin.