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Growth Hormone Stimulation Testing

Meaning

Growth Hormone Stimulation Testing is a specialized, dynamic diagnostic procedure employed in clinical endocrinology to objectively assess the functional reserve and secretory capacity of the pituitary gland for Growth Hormone (GH). The test involves administering a pharmacological secretagogue, such as insulin or arginine, to maximally provoke GH release, followed by serial blood sampling to measure the peak GH concentration. This test is the definitive method used to confirm or exclude a diagnosis of Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) in both children and adults.