Interpretation
Raised Values – exercise, stress (physical and psychological), sleep (stage IV), protein foods, arginine, hypoglycaemia, glucagon, L-Dopa, acromegaly, gigantism, some diabetics.
Low Values – (ie impaired response to stimulation tests) hypothyroidism, hypopituitarism, obesity, prepubertal status, bromocriptine, L-Dopa, somatostatin, glucose infusion.
Reference Intervals
GH reference range: (unstressed, no drugs):
Note: GH pulses may exceed reference values. The test is not suitable for samples obtained in pregnancy or under Pegvisomant treatment.
Adults: female <6 µg/L
male <0.6 µg/L
Children: A response to provocative testing of <3 µg/L is indicative of GH
deficiency.