Again normal growth hormone level is 5 ng/ml. Glucagon raised my blood glucose from 84 (normal) to 172 (HIGH) in an hour as predicted then started to drop. This drop is supposed to stimulate the growth hormone. This drop can also cause nausea in a small percentage of people. (Me) A small percentage of people suffer it off and on for the rest of the day and the next. (Me) During the 4 hour test, GH should rise to 7-17 for a time. As last time my level started at less than 0.5, it remained unchanged for 2 hours, at 2 ½ hours it rose to 1.2, at 3 hours it dropped to 1.0, then dropped back to less than 0.5 the remainder of the test.
My endocrinologist reviewed the results and confirmed I have Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency. I have an appointment at OHSU on March 5th to discuss the pros and cons of GH therapy.
If we decide the pros of hormone therapy outweigh the cons then we wade into bureaucracy. Our insurance has already informed us it'll require documentation from my doctor supporting that it's medically necessary. Once they get that paperwork they'll 'review' it then IF they approve it they'll tell us how they'll cover it and what our cost will be. While I understand, since it's expensive, the insurance's desire to confirm it's necessary, it's frustrating not to have important information (our out of pocket cost). Why they couldn't state if it's approved it'll be x amount for you is a mystery.
1/28/10
GHST Results
Normal growth hormone level is 5 ng/ml. After given Arginine to stimulate it the level should rise at least to 7 for at least a few hours. My level started at less than 0.5, after I was given the Arginine it rose to 0.6 for ½ an hour, then dropped back to less than 0.5 the remainder of the test.
The persistent, pain in the butt fatigue isn't all in my head darn it.
The next step is another GHST except instead of Arginine they'll use glucose. It'll be conducted by a different department of OHSU. This is for ‘independent’ confirmation of my low results mostly for the insurance company since growth hormone replacement is ‘non-standard’.
The test is scheduled Feb. 18th at 8:30 am.
The persistent, pain in the butt fatigue isn't all in my head darn it.
The next step is another GHST except instead of Arginine they'll use glucose. It'll be conducted by a different department of OHSU. This is for ‘independent’ confirmation of my low results mostly for the insurance company since growth hormone replacement is ‘non-standard’.
The test is scheduled Feb. 18th at 8:30 am.
12/17/09
Had the GH test
My appointment was at 8am, which meant leaving the house at 5:30. Yuck. Chris drove me because he worried I might have side effects from the medication I'd be given, because he knows I hate driving in heavy traffic and he loves me. It's always good to have his support.
The test wasn't difficult. The worst part was the waiting. We arrived on time but as last time had an hour and a half wait before they started. That office is seriously overbooking. It’s frustrating but right now, we're willing to deal with it for their expertise.
At 9:30, the nurse put in an IV port and drew some blood. Next I was given a bottle of Arginine, a medication that is supposed to stimulate growth hormone, through IV. It took a half hour to pump into me. For the next two hours, we sat in the waiting room. The nurse called me back every half hour so he could draw a new vial of blood. Easy on my part just boring since I'd read all the books I'd had the previous week while I was sick :)
I'll get the results in seven to ten days.
The test wasn't difficult. The worst part was the waiting. We arrived on time but as last time had an hour and a half wait before they started. That office is seriously overbooking. It’s frustrating but right now, we're willing to deal with it for their expertise.
At 9:30, the nurse put in an IV port and drew some blood. Next I was given a bottle of Arginine, a medication that is supposed to stimulate growth hormone, through IV. It took a half hour to pump into me. For the next two hours, we sat in the waiting room. The nurse called me back every half hour so he could draw a new vial of blood. Easy on my part just boring since I'd read all the books I'd had the previous week while I was sick :)
I'll get the results in seven to ten days.
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