Home
HelpTest ID HGH Growth Hormone, Serum
Useful For
Diagnosis of acromegaly and assessment of treatment efficacy (in conjunction with glucose suppression test)
Diagnosis of human growth hormone deficiency (in conjunction with growth hormone stimulation test)
Method Name
Immunoenzymatic Assay
Reporting Name
Growth Hormone, SSpecimen Type
SerumContainer/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Specimen Volume: 0.6 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Fasting
2. If multiple specimens are drawn, submit each vial under a separate order.
3. Label specimens appropriately (corresponding draw time).
Forms: If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Oncology Test Request Form (T729) with the specimen
(http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/it-mmfiles/oncology-request-form.pdf)
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days |
| Frozen | 90 days |
Clinical Information
The anterior pituitary secretes human growth hormone (hGH) in response to exercise, deep sleep, hypoglycemia, and protein ingestion. hGH stimulates hepatic insulin-like growth factor-1 and mobilizes fatty acids from fat deposits to the liver. Hyposecretion of hGH causes dwarfism in children. Hypersecretion causes gigantism in children or acromegaly in adults.
Because hGH levels in normal and diseased populations overlap, hGH suppression and stimulation tests are needed to evaluate conditions of hGH excess and deficiency; random hGH levels are inadequate.
Reference Values
Adults
Males: 0.01-0.97 ng/mL
Females: 0.01-3.61 ng/mL
Reference intervals have not been formally verified in-house for pediatric and adolescent patients. The published literature indicates that reference intervals for adult, pediatric, and adolescent patients are comparable.
Cautions
The test has limited value in assessing growth hormone secretion in normal children. IGF1I / Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1, Serum is recommended as the first test for assessing deficient or excess growth during childhood and adolescent development; reference intervals for Tanner stages are available. Suspected causes of dwarfism need to be diagnosed with the aid of provocative testing.
This test is not useful as a screen for acromegaly; IGF1 / Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1, Serum is preferred. Elevated levels of human growth hormone indicate the possibility of gigantism or acromegaly, but must be confirmed with stimulation and suppression testing.
Growth hormone is secreted in surges; single measurements are of limited diagnostic value.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday 5 a.m. – 12 a.m., Saturday 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Report Available
1 dayPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Medical Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test has been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
83003