Growth Hormone

Measurement of GH is primarily of interest in the diagnosis and treatment of various forms of inappropriate growth hormone secretion. Growth hormone measurements in children are used in the evaluation of short stature and help differentiate low GH production from other sources of growth failure.

Growth hormone (GH) is a type of hormone that helps to promote tissue growth and development of healthy bones, especially in children. In adulthood, GH helps to regulate metabolism and the production of proteins, lipids and glucose. Growth hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland located in the brain.This test measures the amount of GH in the blood and is a good indicator of pituitary function and can aid in the diagnosis of pituitary disease and hypopituitarism, as well as assessing abnormal amounts of growth hormone in the blood.

This test is performed in following conditions such as:

• Slow growth rate in early childhood
• Shorter stature
• Delayed puberty
• Delayed bone development
• Decreased bone density
• Fatigue
• Adverse lipid changes, such as high cholesterol
• Reduced exercise tolerance

Also Known As: HGH, Somatotropin, STH