HORMONE STIMULATION TEST
The hormone stimulation test was a pain. It lasted for about three hours once we got started. The process to get started involved placing an IV, which was time consuming and difficult because Carter's veins are really hard to access. I learned later from the nurse that they see that a lot in kids with GHD.
Once they got the IV in place, he received the first of two medicines to stimulate his pituitary gland to produce growth hormones. The nurse then came back every 30 minutes to take blood draws that would then be tested for levels of growth hormone. There were three blood draws taken after the first medicine.
The second medicine used to stimulate the gland was taken orally and Carter was required to lay flat on his back during the test. Again, blood draws were taken every 30 minutes. During this time, Carter became very sick to his stomach and eventually threw up. For the rest of the test he felt terrible, but after about an hour or so he was much better.
The two medicines Carter was given were Cortrosyn and Arginine.
During the entire process they also tested his sugar and cortisol levels, which were both normal.
There's more detailed information on the Growth Hormone Stimulation test here.
Once they got the IV in place, he received the first of two medicines to stimulate his pituitary gland to produce growth hormones. The nurse then came back every 30 minutes to take blood draws that would then be tested for levels of growth hormone. There were three blood draws taken after the first medicine.
The second medicine used to stimulate the gland was taken orally and Carter was required to lay flat on his back during the test. Again, blood draws were taken every 30 minutes. During this time, Carter became very sick to his stomach and eventually threw up. For the rest of the test he felt terrible, but after about an hour or so he was much better.
The two medicines Carter was given were Cortrosyn and Arginine.
During the entire process they also tested his sugar and cortisol levels, which were both normal.
There's more detailed information on the Growth Hormone Stimulation test here.
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