How is growth hormone deficiency diagnosed?
Since growth hormone is secreted in a pulsatile manner and fluctuates significantly in a 24 hour period, random growth hormone and IGF-1 levels are of little diagnostic value. Both of these biochemical studies can therefore only be used as screening tests and to monitor the effectiveness of therapy once a patient has begun treatment. The preferred method of diagnosis is a stimulation test measuring serial growth hormone levels in response to certain pharmacological agents. Some of the more popular stimulating agents include insulin, arginine, levodopa, glucogon and clonidine. In adults, a peak growth hormone response of less than or equal to 5ng/ml in response to stimulation is diagnostic of growth hormone deficiency. In children, a peak stimulated growth hormone response less than or equal to 10ng/ml on two consecutive tests is diagnostic of pediatric growth hormone deficiency. For more specific information on growth hormone deficiency diagnostic test see website.
