Endocrine Diagnostic Tests
- 24 Hour Urine Collection
- Arginine/ GHRH Growth Hormone Stimulation Test
- Arginine Growth Hormone Stimulation Test
- ACTH (cortisol) stimulation Test
- Dexamethasone Suppression / CRH Stimulation Test
- Inferior Petrosal Sinus Sampling
- Insulin Tolerance Test
- Oral Glucose Growth Hormone Suppression Test
- Salivary Cortisol Samples
- Water Deprivation Test
Arginine Stimulation Test
Indication
Diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency
Preparation
NPO at least 8 hours prior to the test.
Procedure
1. Baseline serum growth hormone and somatomedin-C levels.
2. Inject 0.5 g/kg (maximum 30 g) Arginine over 30 minutes intravenously.
3. Serum growth hormone levels at 30, 60, 90, 120 minutes
Interpretation
A normal growth hormone response in adults is greater than 5 ng/ml. An abnormal response in adults is less than 5 ng/ml and suggests growth hormone deficiency.