Growth Hormone Reserve Test

Growth Hormone Reserve Test

In general, patients are advised to undergo the Growth Hormone Reserve Test if their personal health care provider suspects that they may be suffering from a condition called growth hormone deficiency. A patient is said to suffer from this clinical illness in cases where he or she presents an inadequate secretion of GH. The presence of this condition triggers different medical problems at various ages. For example, newborn infants who suffer from GH deficiency will present micropenis or hypoglycemia. Children who suffer from this condition will probably present growth failure as a major effect. The presence of this medical condition in the case of adults is very rare; in the small number of reported cases, GH deficiency in the case of adult patients lead to poor bone density, diminished lean body mass, along with a number of psychological and physical clinical manifestations, among which: depression, social withdrawal, poor memory, and so on. In case the adult patient presents abnormally low levels of GH (growth hormone) he can experience disabling symptoms. All adult patients who present the symptoms that we have listed here should seek the help of an endocrinologist. They will probably be asked to undergo a Growth Hormone Reserve Test (the primary method of diagnosis of this medical condition). Other glandular and hormonal medical conditions commonly coincide with the diminished production of GH. This condition can be acquired during childhood or during the patient’s adult life or it can be a congenital disease. Patients present either the partial or the complete form of this condition.

Your personal physician may ask you to undergo this medical examination (Growth Hormone Reserve Test) for a reason which has not been described in this chapter. You must always follow the instructions of your PD.

The Growth Hormone Reserve Test can be employed in the diagnosis of the following medical conditions: pituitary dwarfism, postsurgical craniopharyngioma, panhypopituitarism, chromophobe adenoma, pituitary trauma, hypophysectomy, and in problems with stature and / or growth. The test can also be used in the clinical evaluation of the patient’s pituitary function in the case of individuals who suffer from acromegaly and / or gigantism.

Growth Hormone Reserve Test Description

The growth hormone (commonly abbreviated as GH) is a widely-known peptide hormone that is responsible for the normal stimulation of cell growth and reproduction, both in the case of humans and in that of other animals. This naturally occurring hormone is secreted, stored and synthesized by the anterior pituitary gland (to be more precise, this hormone is secreted by the somatotroph cells that are located in the lateral wings of this gland). Arginine hydrochloride is the substance on which the Growth Hormone Reserve Test is based. This product is administered intravenously (through an IV infusion) in order to allow the patient’s health care provider accurately evaluate the individual’s reserves of GH (growth hormone) from the pituitary gland; as we have stated in the first chapter of our medical article, this test is generally undergone by patients who are suspected to suffer from a condition called GH deficiency.

Another type of Growth Hormone Reserve Test employs insulin, this is why it is commonly referred to as insulin hypoglycemia test for GH; although studies have shown that this type of test is more reliable than the one based on arginine, unfortunately, hypoglycemia (the result of this type of test) is poorly tolerated by many individuals.

The evaluation of the patient’s reserve of GH must not be made based on a single test; it is recommended for the patient to undergo additional medical examinations (either Growth Hormone Reserve Test using the same substance –arginine or other medical exams). All patients must always keep in mind that a false-positive response to the substance commonly employed during Growth Hormone Reserve Test (arginine hydrochloride) occurs in approximately 20-32% of all individuals who have normal pituitary function. On the other hand, 27% of all individuals who are suffering from a pituitary deficiency present a false-negative response.

Growth Hormone Reserve Test Related Medication

The drugs that we are going to list in this chapter of our short medical presentation are related to or employed in the Growth Hormone Reserve Test. You should always keep in mind that the pieces of information with which we provide you are not complete and that you should refer to a well-trained medical professional in case you need detailed clinical data concerning this matter. You must be aware of the fact that this article is only a supplement to the expertise of a medical provider and that it is not able to replace it. The most common medication that is related to the Growth Hormone Reserve Test is insulin. Humulin R, Humulin R (Concentrated), Novolin R, Novolin R Innolet, ReliOn, Velosulin BR, and so on, are only some of the medicines that belong to this class (they can be purchased under the generic name of insulin regular).

However, not all patients are allowed to be administered these insulin products, as their use is associated with certain contra-indications. For example, pregnant females (or women who plan to become pregnant anytime soon) should discuss with their gynecologist about the risks and benefits of such a therapy course. Patients who suffer from liver / kidney medical conditions, thyroid, adrenal problems, or who have been diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis should also avoid the administration of these products can lead to a worsening of their initial conditions. Another contra-indication is reported for patients who have undergone or who will undergo any type of heart surgery. Smokers and patients who regularly consume large amounts of alcohol should try to avoid a therapy course with any of the products that fit into this medical category.

Another substance which is widely employed in the Growth Hormone Reserve Test is Arginine. This substance is injected in the case of patients who may suffer from pituitary adenoma, gigantism, and other similar growth hormone deficiencies. The use of arginine for this medical purpose has been approved by the FDA (the U.S. Food and Drug Administration).