What is a Human Growth Hormone (HGH) test?
HGH, also called somatotropin, is produced by the pituitary gland, a small pea-sized gland at the base of the brain. It plays an important role in regulating growth spurs in teens and for maintaining various metabolic activities in adults.
HGH is secreted in response to sleep and exercise as well as low blood sugar or hypoglycaemia. It suppresses insulin activity to maintain carbohydrate metabolism. This hormone is also important for the metabolism of fats and proteins.
An HGH test is used to determine the level of GH in the blood if symptoms of low or high somatotropin levels are observed.
Though GH test may not always point to a diagnosis, so, a GH stimulation or suppression test may be done to get confirmatory results.