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Growth Hormone

Source Blood
 
Mnemonic GH
SERGH - Serial collections
 
Specimen Requirements

1 x 3 mL light green (mint) top PST tube.  Gold top SST tube also acceptable.

0.5 mL heparinized plasma or serum

Minimum Whole Blood Volumes for Micro-Collections using Microtainers 
 

Specimen Handling

Record collection time.

PSC & RRL:
Centrifuge, pour off and mark aliquot tube "PST" or "SST", then transport plasma or serum to DSC.

Extra-regional:
Centrifuge, pour off and mark aliquot tube "PST" or "SST", then freeze plasma or serum before transporting to DSC.

DSC:
Freeze specimens upon receipt in lab; ensure frozen specimens do not thaw.
 

Additional Information Serial collections may be performed. A random or single fasting growth hormone level is of limited value since secretion of growth hormone is episodic and pulsatile. Testing for growth hormone deficiency or excess is best done as part of a dynamic test involving specific stimuli.
 
Testing Location Immunochemistry
Testing Frequency Weekly
 
Alternate Name(s) Human Growth Hormone
 
Reference Interval

Male:       0 - 3 μg/L

Female:    0 - 8 μg/L