For HGH Patients ITT (Insulin Tolerance Test) Info
HGH patients are tested for human growth hormone deficiencies using a variety of methods. Two of the most prevalent are the serious of blood tests and what is known as ITT testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are in the process of determining whether you have a GH deficiency, you probably have quite a few questions. Some of the most important ones regarding ITT and GH level testing are presented below.
What is an ITT?
It stands for Insulin Tolerance Test. It normally is used in diabetics. However, it also has been implemented for use in detecting how well a person responds to lowered blood sugar. Usually the GH hormone would activate as blood sugar drops to 2.2 mmol/L.
What benefit does the ITT tests have in HGH patients?
It can determine whether GH is natural simulated by the body. If not, action may be taken to help address this issue. It also determines how well your pituitary gland or adrenal gland is working.
What other hormonal activities are detected with the use of ITT?
Cortisol activity is tested. This is the substance that controls blood sugar, and if this is not working properly the GH my not be stimulated.
What is the ITT process?
Usually you are told to not eat from the night before your ITT is scheduled to the time of the scheduled test. This is to ensure that your blood sugar level drops low enough to determine whether you have an HGH deficiency or not.
Then, during your scheduled appointment you are given a shot of insulin. This causes your blood sugar to drop to its lowest point within 20 to 40 minutes.
What can I expect during this insulin testing process?
You may experience some reason such as increased sweatiness, drowsiness, shakiness, and hunger. However, this is normal. You are going through what the body normally goes through when you have low blood sugar. No worries, as this is only temporary.
What else is involved when I take the Insulin Tolerance Test?
Your blood sugar level is tested every 15 minutes for the first hour. Then it is checked every 30 minutes during the second hour. Usually you would be fed after your test is completed to help bring your blood sugar back up to normal.
What are the risks of an ITT to HGH patients?
For most HGH patients the ITT is safe. However, it should not be used on people who have had a history of epilepsy, strokes, or heart disease. There may be other excluding conditions and this is important why you should be honest about your health history and condition.