The growth hormone suppression test determines whether growth hormone (GH) is suppressed by high blood sugar.

Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.

Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding. A catheter or a small needle called a butterfly may be placed in your arm or hand to minimize the number of needle sticks.

In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.

Three blood samples are taken. The first is collected between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. Then you are asked to drink a water solution containing 75 grams of glucose. You may be asked to drink this slowly to avoid becoming nauseated. However, you must drink the solution within 5 minutes or the test results may be changed.

The second and third blood samples are collected 1 - 2 hours after you finish drinking the glucose solution. Each sample should be taken to the laboratory immediately. The lab measures glucose and GH in each sample.

Do not eat anything and limit physical activity for 10 - 12 hours before the test, so that you don't affect the test results.

Some medications can affect test results. If you are taking medications, your health care provider may ask that you stop taking them before the test. Check with your health care provider before stopping any medications.

You will be asked to relax for at least 90 minutes before the test, as exercise or increased activity can change GH levels.

If your child is to have this test performed, it may be helpful to explain how the test will feel and even demonstrate on a doll. The more familiar your child is with what will happen and why, the less anxiety the child will feel.

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

This test checks for high levels of GH, a condition that leads to gigantism in children and acromegaly in adults. This is not a normal screening tool. This test is only performed if you show signs of increased GH.

Normal test results show a GH level of less than 2 ng/mL. In children, the levels may be increased due to reactive hypoglycemia.

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

If the GH levels are not changed and stay high during the suppression test, then the health care provider will suspect gigantism or acromegaly. You may need to be retested at the same time and under the same conditions on another day to confirm the test results.

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:

• Excessive bleeding
• Fainting or feeling light-headed
• Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

Melmed S, Kleinberg D. Anterior pituitary. In: Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2008: chap 8.