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Stanford Health Care

Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency Diagnosis

Diagnosis of AGHD

Because GH is released in pulses, random blood measurement of GH is not a reliable indicator of GH status. In most instances, a provocative test (i.e., a stimulation test) is necessary to document GH deficiency. The insulin tolerance test (ITT), arginine test, and GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) test are some examples of commonly used stimulation tests.

These tests take approximately 2 hours and are done on an outpatient basis. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a hormone produced by the liver (and peripheral tissues) in response to circulating GH. IGF-1 is a general marker of GH status, and a low random serum IGF-1 value may reflect the presence of GHD.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.

Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.

Closed Trials