Clinical Information

As the hGH test has limited value in assessing growth hormone secretion in normal children, Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF1) is recommended as the first test for assessing deficient or excess growth during childhood and adolescent development. Elevated levels of human growth hormone indicate the possibility of gigantism or acromegaly but must be confirmed with stimulation and suppression testing. Growth hormone is secreted in surges; single measurements are of limited diagnostic value.