Human growth hormone (HGH) is an important hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates growth, cell reproduction and regeneration. As we age, HGH levels naturally decline, which can lead to unwanted symptoms. Testing your HGH levels can provide insight into your overall health and whether hormone therapy could benefit you.
There are a few ways to get your HGH levels tested:
- Blood test: A blood test is the most accurate way to measure your current HGH levels. The test is usually done first thing in the morning when HGH levels are at their peak. The level is reported in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) or nanomoles per liter (nmol/L).
- Stimulation test: This test measures your pituitary gland's ability to release HGH in response to stimulation. The most common stimulation test is the insulin tolerance test, which involves taking insulin to lower your blood sugar. Other stimulants used include arginine, clonidine, and glucagon. Samples are taken over several hours to see HGH response.
- IGF-1 blood test: IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1) is produced by the liver in response to HGH. Measuring IGF-1 levels can give an indication of HGH status, as they usually correlate. However, many factors affect IGF-1 so it’s not a direct measure.
When getting tested, keep in mind that normal HGH reference ranges can vary by factors like:
- Age and gender: Levels normally decline with age starting in the 30s/40s. Men tend to have higher levels than women.
- Time of day: HGH pulsates in cycles and is usually highest before sleep onset.
- Testing methods: Different labs and test methods can impact reference ranges.
Interpreting your HGH levels
If testing shows you have clinically low HGH for your age/gender (below -2 SD of mean), you may have growth
hormone deficiency (GHD). Some
symptoms of GHD are:
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Increased body fat, especially abdominal
- Thinning hair and skin
Causes for low GHD can include pituitary tumors, trauma or injury to the pituitary, or even idiopathic (no known cause).
There are treatment options available for low GHD that can help improve quality of life. One option is taking
FDA-approved synthetic HGH injections under medical supervision to restore levels. Potential benefits users report include:
- Increased energy and stamina
- Improved skin elasticity and tone
- Enhanced immune function
- Increased bone density
- Improved cholesterol levels
- Weight loss, especially belly fat
If considering HGH therapy, the
Balance Hormone Solutions offers full testing services to accurately evaluate your hormone levels and determine if treatment is right for you. Their board-certified hormone specialists develop customized treatment plans using high-quality bioidentical hormones and peptides. Contact them today for a consultation.
In summary, blood tests, stimulation tests, and IGF-1 tests can help uncover growth hormone deficiencies. If levels are clinically low,
hormone replacement therapy under medical supervision may help relieve symptoms and improve wellbeing. Get tested to see if treatment could benefit you.