Skip to main content

Growth Hormone Stimulation Test

Meaning

The Growth Hormone Stimulation Test (GHST) is a diagnostic procedure used in clinical endocrinology to assess the functional reserve and secretory capacity of the pituitary gland to release Growth Hormone (GH). This test involves administering a pharmacological agent, such as insulin, arginine, or clonidine, to provoke a physiological stressor or direct stimulus, followed by serial blood sampling to measure the resultant peak GH concentration. It is the gold standard for diagnosing Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) in adults and children.