Growth Hormone

Human Growth Hormone (hGH), Somatotropin

Why It Is Done

A test for growth hormone (GH) is done to:

• See whether a child whose growth is abnormal has dwarfism or gigantism.
• See whether an adult has acromegaly. This condition is caused by a tumor (adenoma) of the pituitary gland.
• Check treatment that uses growth hormone.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: September 15, 2006
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine David C.W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology & Metabolism
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