Uncovering Diagnostic Flaws in Growth Hormone Provocative Tests
Is there an undiscovered neurocircuit for regulating GH secretion? -Pitfalls of GHRP-2 and ITT as GH provocative tests-.
Background
Growth hormone (GH) plays a pivotal role in regulating growth, metabolism, and body composition, with its dysregulation contributing to significant health issues such as GH deficiency (GHD) in children and adults, or acromegaly from excess. Accurate diagnosis of GHD relies heavily on provocative tests designed to stimulate GH release, yet their physiological relevance and diagnostic reliability are frequently questioned. This comprehensive review critically examines the inherent limitations and potential pitfalls of two widely used GH provocative tests, GHRP-2 and the Insulin Tolerance Test (ITT), highlighting the need to identify more precise neurocircuits governing GH secretion.