Growth hormone

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Growth hormone stimulation test - series

GH

• Excessive bleeding
• Fainting or feeling lightheaded
• Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
• Multiple punctures to locate veins

Growth hormone measurements are usually combined with other laboratory tests, such as IGF-1 levels or provocative tests, such as GHRH stimulation tests. Due to considerable variation in growth hormone levels over the course of a day, the test is often repeated several times to get a better picture of average levels.

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Review Date: 03/08/2006
Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, M.D., Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.