Growth hormone suppression test
Last updated: Monday, 22, March, 2004
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | 2 mL blood in a lithium heparin or plain tube. |
| Method | Glucose - spectrophotometry. Growth hormone - immunoassay. |
| Protocol | Blood is taken prior to a 75 g glucose load and then every 30 minutes for 3 hours. |
| Reference Interval | Suppression to <4 mU/L (<2 µg/L) in at least one specimen. |
| Application | Definitive test for the diagnosis of acromegaly or pituitary gigantism. IgF-I is used for initial assessment. See IGF-I. |
| Interpretation | Failure of growth hormone to suppress indicates autonomous growth hormone release by the anterior pituitary. |
| Reference | Simard MF. Neurosurg Clin N Am 2003; 14(1):41-54. |