How do levels of growth hormone vary throughout the day?
The amount of GH found in the blood stream varies throughout the day. As mentioned above growth hormone is secreted in pulses throughout the day. The number of pulses can range from nine to 30 during any 24-hour period. The strength of these pulses can be affected by exercise as well as other variables. The highest peak of growth hormone release during a 24-hour period is during stage IV sleep. Growth hormone levels in the body increase during exercise, extreme stress and injury. A high-fat diet has been found to reduce GH production.
