Wednesday, March 25, 2020

What is the growth hormone test?


Growth hormone test is a type of blood test. The main purpose of this test is to find out how much growth hormone is in the blood. Growth hormone is responsible for the growth of the body. Along with this, it is also responsible for keeping the metabolism of the body properly. The amount of growth hormone in the blood varies depending on emotional stress, sleep, exercise and diet.

In some people, due to high growth hormone, they are much longer than normal. At the same time, in which the amount of growth hormone is low, then such people fall prey to dwarfism.

On the other hand, high amount of growth hormone makes noncancerous tumor in pituitary gland. At the same time, the face, jaw, hands and feet start to grow longer than normal due to excess growth hormone in the blood.





Why is the Growth Hormone test done?



The growth hormone stimulation test is done when the child begins to experience symptoms of growth hormone deficiency.


  • Decreased child growth rate since childhood
  • Shortening the length of the baby from our children
  • Delayed arrival of puberty
  • Late growth of bones



The growth hormone stimulation test of elders is done when the following symptoms appear in them. This is called hypopituitarism.

  • Decreased bone density
  • To be tired
  • Have high cholesterol
  • Decreased exercise



Know important things


What do I need to know before getting a growth hormone test?


The growth hormone is secreted from the pituitary gland. Therefore, with time, its quantity changes in the blood. This is why repeated tests from the same sample will not be helpful. Because in the morning the growth hormone is released in excess and its level changes due to exercise and stress. Therefore, it is not possible to get the same result. Some factor growth




Hormones affect test results:


Sometimes the growth hormone deficiency is not responsible for one's short stature. Rather, his family history is also responsible for decreasing growth. Growth is also inhibited due to some kind of genetic disorder.


  1. Before the test, the doctor will tell you to keep it fast for some time.
  2. Do not take vitamin biotin and B7 for 12 hours before conducting this test.
  3. If you are taking any medicine that may affect your test results, do not take them.
  4. How is a growth hormone test done?
  5. Growth hormone serum test
  6. Insulin Growth Factor-1 Test
  7. Growth hormone suppression test
  8. Growth hormone stimulation test



Process


How should I prepare myself for this test?


Before getting a growth hormone test, your doctor can give you some instructions:

  • Do not eat anything a few hours before the test
  • If you are taking any kind of medicine, then talk to the doctor before conducting the test.
  • Do the exercises before the test
  • Stop taking medications that may affect the results of the growth hormone test.




What is the process occurring in the growth hormone test?



Growth hormone changes rapidly in the blood. In such a situation, it is not possible to get an accurate result. So you may have to do the test on different days continuously. Insulin-like growth factor 1 level (IGF-1) changes slowly and can be tested first.

First the health professionals will tie an elastic band on your side. Which will stop your blood flow.

Then from where the blood has to be removed, we clean it with alcohol.

By inserting a needle into the vein of your hand, you extract the blood.

You will keep the extracted blood in a tube and keep it safe.

Where they draw blood, they press it with cotton so that the bleeding stops.


What happens after the growth hormone test?



After taking the blood sample, it will be sent to the lab for examination. You will return to normal immediately after the test. You can go home immediately if you want. If you have any kind of problem, talk to a health professional immediately. You will get the result of blood test as soon as possible.



Result


What does growth hormone test result mean?

Normal

If the result is written in normal then it is called the reference range. Results of growth hormone test may vary from lab to lab. Therefore, you must understand the result from your doctor.

Growth hormone (GH)

Male: Less than 5 ng / mL (nanograms per milliliter)

Female: Less than 10 ng / mL

Children: Less than 20 ng / mL


High amount of growth hormone

A large amount of growth hormone becomes acromegaly when secreted. The body of such people is longer than normal. High levels of growth hormone can lead to diabetes, kidney disease or hunger.




Low amount of growth hormone


Low amounts of growth hormone indicate growth hormone deficiencies. This condition is called hypopituitarism.

At the same time, let us know that the growth hormone report depends on the methods of hospital and laboratory. Therefore, you should get a good understanding about the test report from your doctor.

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