Growth Hormone – 1 Hour

Description

Growth Hormone – 1 Hour Lab Test – Accurate Hormone Level Testing for Pituitary & Metabolic Health

The Growth Hormone (GH) – 1 Hour Lab Test from Lab Tests Dubai is a specialized blood test that measures growth hormone levels at a specific time—often used as part of a dynamic pituitary evaluation to assess abnormal GH secretion.

Produced by the anterior pituitary gland, growth hormone (GH) regulates:

• Growth in children and adolescents
• Muscle mass, fat metabolism, and bone density in adults
• Cellular repair and energy levels

While GH is released in pulses (especially during sleep), a single random or timed GH level—such as a 1-hour post-fasting or post-stimulation sample—can provide critical clues when interpreted with IGF-1 levels and clinical symptoms.

This test is essential for:

• Evaluating suspected acromegaly (excess GH in adults)
• Investigating growth failure in children
• Assessing adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD)
• Monitoring pituitary tumors or dysfunction
• Supporting diagnosis after abnormal imaging (pituitary MRI)

Using high-sensitivity chemiluminescence technology, this serum-based test delivers accurate results within 2 days, helping endocrinologists diagnose complex hormonal disorders.

Available with home blood collection, Lab Tests Dubai ensures fast, accurate, and stress-free testing—so you can get answers without disruption to your care.

Why You Need This Test

If you’re experiencing unexplained growth issues, fatigue, or physical changes, this test could reveal a pituitary imbalance.

You need the GH – 1 Hour Test if:

• You have acromegaly symptoms: enlarged hands/feet, jaw protrusion, thick skin
• You’re a child with short stature or delayed growth
• You have pituitary disease (tumor, surgery, radiation)
• You’re being evaluated for hypopituitarism
• You have low IGF-1 levels on prior testing
• You’re undergoing GH stimulation or suppression testing (as part of a panel)

Note: A single GH level is not diagnostic—it must be paired with:

• IGF-1 (best screening test)
• Oral glucose suppression test (for acromegaly)
• Stimulation tests (e.g., insulin tolerance test) for deficiency

This test is often the first step in a larger pituitary workup.

Symptoms That Indicate This Test

Consider the GH Test if you experience:

✅ For Excess GH (Acromegaly):

• Enlarged hands and feet
• Coarsened facial features (protruding brow, enlarged nose)
• Joint pain or carpal tunnel syndrome
• Thick, oily skin
• Snoring or sleep apnea
• Headaches or vision changes (pituitary tumor)

✅ For GH Deficiency (Children):

• Slow growth or short stature
• Delayed puberty
• Fatigue, poor concentration
• Increased body fat

✅ For GH Deficiency (Adults):

• Low energy, depression
• Reduced muscle mass, increased abdominal fat
• Poor exercise tolerance
• Low bone density (osteoporosis)

✅ For Pituitary Issues:

• History of brain injury, tumor, or radiation
• Low testosterone, cortisol, or thyroid hormones

These signs may point to pituitary dysfunction—and this test helps initiate the diagnostic journey.

Natural Production: How Growth Hormone Regulates Body Function

GH is released by the anterior pituitary in pulses, primarily during deep sleep, exercise, and stress.

It works by:

• Stimulating the liver to produce IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1)
• Promoting protein synthesis, lipolysis, and insulin resistance

GH secretion declines with age—peaking in adolescence, dropping by ~14% per decade.

Normal Random GH Levels:

• <5 ng/mL in adults (but highly variable)
• Higher in children (up to 10–20 ng/mL)

IGF-1 is the preferred screening test because it:

• Reflects average GH exposure over days
• Is stable throughout the day

Elevated GH + IGF-1 → Acromegaly (usually due to pituitary adenoma)
Low IGF-1 + symptoms → GH deficiency (pituitary or hypothalamic)

This test is often paired with IGF-1, prolactin, and pituitary MRI.

What Happens If Untreated? Risks of Ignoring GH Imbalance

Ignoring abnormal GH levels can lead to:

⚠️ Acromegaly Complications – heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, sleep apnea
⚠️ Untreated Pituitary Tumors – vision loss, hormone failure
⚠️ Growth Failure in Children – psychosocial impact, short stature
⚠️ Metabolic & Cardiovascular Risk – from long-term GH excess or deficiency

The good news? Most cases are treatable with:

• Surgery (transsphenoidal resection of pituitary tumor)
• Medications (somatostatin analogs, GH receptor antagonists)
• GH replacement (for deficiency, under strict supervision)

Early testing = better outcomes and quality of life.

How to Prepare for the Test

To ensure accurate results:

✅ Fast for 8–12 hours (overnight fast) – especially if part of a suppression test
✅ Avoid exercise, stress, or sleep deprivation the night before
✅ Inform your doctor of:

• Pituitary or hormone medications
• History of diabetes or seizures
• Recent illness or surgery
  ✅ For dynamic testing (e.g., glucose suppression), follow strict timing instructions

A serum blood sample is collected via standard draw—available at our labs or via home collection.

Test Overview: High-Sensitivity Chemiluminescence Method

Important Notes:

• Random GH alone is not diagnostic due to pulsatile secretion
• Always interpret with IGF-1 levels
• For acromegaly: GH should suppress to <1 ng/mL after 75g glucose (OGTT)
• For deficiency: Stimulation tests (ITT, GHRH+arginine) are diagnostic

Results are reported with clinical notes for your endocrinologist.

Benefits of the Growth Hormone Blood Test

🔹 Early Detection of Acromegaly
Catch pituitary tumors before they cause irreversible changes.

🔹 Growth Assessment in Children
Identify causes of short stature and guide treatment.

🔹 Metabolic & Energy Insight
Understand fatigue, weight gain, and low muscle mass.

🔹 Pituitary Health Monitoring
Track recovery after surgery or radiation.

🔹 Support for IGF-1 Abnormalities
Confirm or rule out GH imbalance.

If you’re tired of unexplained fatigue, growth issues, or physical changes, the Growth Hormone (GH) – 1 Hour Test gives you the answers you need in just 2 days.