Growth Hormone (GH) – what do your numbers mean?
Have you had your Growth Hormone (GH) level measured and are unsure what the numbers mean? Here's a clear explanation of the normal range, what a high or low level can indicate, and when it makes sense to get tested.
What is the normal range for Growth Hormone (GH)?
What is the normal range for Growth Hormone (GH)?
The normal range for growth hormone (GH) varies depending on gender and age. For women, the normal range is typically below 18 µg/L, while for men it is below 4 µg/L. In newborns, values may be higher. It's important to note that GH secretion is highly variable and follows a circadian rhythm, meaning a single measurement is often insufficient. Diagnosis may require serial measurements or specific tests such as glucose tolerance or insulin stimulation. Reference intervals can also vary depending on the laboratory's analytical methods and equipment. Being close to the reference limits may indicate a need for further investigation, especially if clinical symptoms are present.
What does a low level mean?
A low level of growth hormone can lead to growth hormone deficiency, which in children can result in dwarfism and delayed development. In adults, it can lead to reduced muscle mass, increased fat mass, fatigue, and reduced quality of life. Causes can include pituitary insufficiency, genetic factors, or damage to the pituitary gland, for example, after radiation therapy or surgery. Particularly vulnerable groups include patients with previous pituitary adenomas or syndromes such as Turner's syndrome. If a low GH level is suspected, it is recommended to contact an endocrinologist for further evaluation and potential treatment, which may include synthetic growth hormone.
What does a high level mean?
A high level of growth hormone can lead to conditions such as acromegaly in adults or gigantism in children, where growth plates have not yet closed. Symptoms can include enlarged hands, feet, and facial features, joint pain, fatigue, and metabolic disorders such as diabetes. Common causes are pituitary adenomas or, less commonly, ectopic production of growth hormone. It is important to seek medical attention if suspected, as untreated elevated GH can lead to serious complications such as cardiovascular disease. Treatment often includes surgery, medication, or radiation therapy to reduce GH levels.
Get your Growth Hormone (GH) level tested
At Celto, you can order a blood test for Growth Hormone (GH) directly online – without a referral from your doctor and without long waiting times. We have over 34 blood collection sites at public hospitals throughout Denmark, and your samples are analyzed in the same accredited laboratories used by the rest of the healthcare system. You will receive your results directly on sundhed.dk, just like all other blood tests from the public system.
How it works
When you order a blood test from Celto, you choose which markers you want to have tested – no doctor's referral necessary. After your purchase, you will receive an email with a link to our booking system, where you choose a time and place. The blood sample itself is taken by authorized healthcare professionals and typically only takes a few minutes.
Where you can get tested
Celto has over 34 blood collection sites at public hospitals and clinics across Denmark. You choose the location that suits you best among our partners, and there are typically available times within a few days. Find your nearest blood collection site →
How to get your results
Your blood samples are analyzed in the same laboratories used by your own doctor and the rest of the healthcare system, with precisely the same quality and the same tests. You will receive your results directly on sundhed.dk within a few business days, and Celto will also send an easy-to-understand overview of your values so you know what the numbers mean.