Pituitary and Growth Hormone Tests

The Pituitary and Growth Hormone Tests category provides clear, medically reviewed information about laboratory tests used to evaluate pituitary function, growth disorders, reproductive hormones, water balance, thyroid regulation, and hormone-producing tumors. These tests help healthcare professionals investigate symptoms such as abnormal growth, delayed or early puberty, infertility, menstrual changes, low testosterone, unexplained fatigue, excessive thirst, frequent urination, headaches, vision changes, and unexpected weight or body-composition changes. Articles in this category explain commonly ordered tests, including growth hormone stimulation and suppression testing, IGF-1, IGFBP-3, prolactin, macroprolactin, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, copeptin, serum and urine osmolality, and broader pituitary hormone panels. They also describe how testing may be used when evaluating acromegaly, growth hormone deficiency, diabetes insipidus, central hypothyroidism, pituitary adenomas, gonadal dysfunction, and growth failure in children. Each guide covers why a test may be ordered, how to prepare, what happens during testing, possible risks, and how results are interpreted. Because hormone levels can vary with age, sex, pregnancy, puberty, medications, stress, illness, body weight, time of day, and laboratory method, results must always be assessed in the correct clinical context. These articles are designed to help patients better understand the testing process and prepare for informed discussions with their healthcare provider.