Growth hormone testing info

[BABY1]

excerpts taken from an article on WEbMd
GH (Growth Hormone) Test




Growth hormone can cause the release of other substances (factors) that affect growth and metabolism. One of these is insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). When the GH level is very high, the IGF-1 level is also very high. A test for IGF-1 may also be done to confirm high GH levels.

How To Prepare

Do not exercise or eat or drink anything for 10 hours before the test. You may be asked to sit quietly for 30 minutes right before the test.
Certain medicines can affect growth hormone test results, such as corticosteroids and estrogens (including birth control pills). Your doctor may ask you to stop taking these medicines before the test.
How It Is Done

Blood levels of growth hormone (GH) can change quickly, so more than one blood sample may be taken on different days. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels change more slowly, and it may be the first test done


What Affects the Test

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

• Taking medicines, such as amphetamines, corticosteroids, insulin, or estrogens.
• Having low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
• Being obese.
• Taking the herb St. John's wort.

[BABY1]

Re: Growth hormone testing info

bump, so should one be testing insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) as well?

[jamescb77]

It's a good test to do but without a Baseline and then another test 14 days or so later it really means nothing. Also certain aas can raise igf1 levels which could also throw the results off unless you were solely using gh and I don't know many that do that.