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Growth hormone stimulation test

Arginine test; Arginine - GHRH test

The growth hormone (GH) stimulation test measures the ability of the body to produce GH.

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Growth hormone stimulation test

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How the Test is Performed

Blood is drawn several times. Blood samples are taken through an intravenous (IV) line instead of reinserting the needle each time. The test takes between 2 and 5 hours.

The procedure is done the following way:

How to Prepare for the Test

DO NOT eat for 10 to 12 hours before the test. Eating food can change the test results.

Some medicines can affect the test results. Ask your provider if you should stop taking any of your medicines before the test.

If your child will have this test, explain how the test will feel. You may want to demonstrate on a doll. The more familiar your child is with what will happen and the purpose of the procedure, the less anxiety they will feel.

How the Test will Feel

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.

Why the Test is Performed

This test is most often done to find out whether a growth hormone deficiency (GH deficiency) is causing slowed growth.

Normal Results

Normal results include:

A normal value rules out hGH deficiency. In some laboratories, the normal level is 7 ng/mL (7 µg/L).

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean

If this test does not raise GH levels, there is a reduced amount of hGH stored in the anterior pituitary.

In children, this results in GH deficiency. In adults, it may be linked to adult GH deficiency.

Risks

There is little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:

Medicines that stimulate the pituitary during the test may cause side effects. The provider can tell you more about this.

Related Information

Growth hormone test
Anterior
Growth hormone deficiency - children

References

Dattani MT, Dastamani A. Growth hormone deficiency in children. In: Robertson RP, ed. DeGroot's Endocrinology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 18.

Guber HA, Oprea M, Russell YX. Evaluation of endocrine function. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 25.

Patterson BC, Felner EI. Hypopituitarism. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 573.

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Review Date: 7/1/2023  

Reviewed By: Charles I. Schwartz, MD, FAAP, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, General Pediatrician at PennCare for Kids, Phoenixville, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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