Growth Hormone is a somatotropin, a peptide that stimulates growth, cell reproduction and cell regeneration .It is important in human development. Throughout life, it regulates the fat,muscle,tissue and bone in human body. It enhances the production of insulin like Growth Factors called somatomedin as functional mediators. The levels increase until the onset of puberty .GH levels reduce from the middle age onwards. Its synthesis is stimulated by GHRH (Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone) and inhibited by Somatostatin.
Interpretation:Growth Hormone secretion increases in response to decreased food intake. However some people are affected by the hyperabundance of the hormone which might be the result of a benign tumor (adenoma) of the somatotrop cells of the ptuitary gland. In some cases, a lung or pancreatic islet tumor produces a large amount of GH. In this case, gigantism (extreme height) and acromegaly may be seen especially in growing children. GH deficiency is one of the many causes of short stature and dwarfism.It results from primary damage to hypotalamus or the pituitary gland during fetal development (Congenital GH deficiency) or following birth (Acquired GH deficiency). It may also result from the gene mutations to regulate its synthesis and secretion. Childen may be normal at birth but growth retardation starts within 2 years of age. A rare form of short stature may be caused by inherited, insensitivity to the action of GH
Sample: Arm vein blood. Nonfasting
Working day: Friday
Result Time: Next day 18:00 PM
