How to test for low natural levels of Growth Hormone?

[Joltan]

Does a GH blood test suffice, or do you need other tests as well (IGF, etc.)?

I had a blood test done for growth hormone and it came back as <.1 ng/mL. Not sure if that is enough, or should I do follow up testing?

 

[Dancho]

test the igf1. gh last for some hours and if you dont hit it at the right moment it will be low. igf1 would be better indication for overall levels

 

[Joltan]

Thanks. I had blood work done for IGF-1 today. We'll see how that comes out.

Is it normal for GH to be that low sometimes? Mine was <.1ng/mL

 

[HELLA SWOLE]

Serum IGF BP-3 (Insulin Growth Factor Binding Protein-3) is the more reliable test of GH levels. It is down stream from GH (except for in the liver, where it is independently produced), but has a longer half life. If this is normal, then your GH should be normal.

Dr. Mark Gordon tests for this to check natural GH output

Somatomedin C (IFG-1) is more reliable than testing actual growth hormone, but the half life is still pretty quick and therefore not as reliable as IGF BP-3

 

[Joltan]

So my IGF-1 came back at 120 ng/mL.

Does that mean my GH is functioning properly?

 

[buck]

what was your reference range for your age group. It should have been included in the test results.

 

[Joltan]

It doesn't say anything for age group, just says the range is 71-241 ng/mL.

But it also says the range for testosterone starts at 167, which doesn't seem right either. Usually I see 300+.

 

[Joltan]

I've read that levels under 80 are associated with increased risk of all cause mortality.

For HRT, how low does it need to be to get prescribed?