Growth Disorder Panel Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About Growth Disorder Panel Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Growth Hormone Panel, GH Panel, IGF-1/IGFBP-3 Panel, Somatotropin Panel |
| Sample Type | Serum (venous blood) |
| Fasting Required | Generally not required; overnight fast may be advised if growth hormone testing is included |
| Report Time | 3 days |
| Recommended For | Children with suspected growth abnormalities, adults with pituitary disorders; all genders and ages |
| Price | Starting at ₹9,000 |
What is a Growth Disorder Panel Test?
The growth disorder panel test is a blood test that measures key hormones involved in growth and development. It evaluates how well the pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain, is producing and regulating growth hormone. Doctors typically prescribe this panel when a child shows signs of unusually slow or rapid growth, or when an adult has symptoms suggesting a pituitary problem. It is also known as the Growth Hormone Panel or the IGF-1/IGFBP-3 Panel.
What Does a Growth Disorder Panel Test Measure?
This panel assesses three closely linked hormones that together control how the body grows and uses energy. Here is what each parameter measures:
| Parameter | What it Tells Us |
|---|---|
| Growth Hormone (GH) | Reflects how much growth hormone the pituitary gland is releasing; guides diagnosis of deficiency or excess |
| Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) | A stable indicator of overall GH activity in the body; more reliable than a single GH reading |
| IGF Binding Protein 3 (IGFBP-3) | A liver-produced protein that carries IGF-1 in the blood and controls how available it is to body tissues |
Why is a Growth Disorder Panel Test Done?
This panel is ordered when a doctor suspects that the growth hormone system is not working as it should. It can point to a deficiency, an excess, or a resistance to growth hormone.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
The following symptoms often prompt a doctor to request a growth disorder panel test:
- Noticeably short stature or a very slow rate of growth in children
- Delayed puberty compared to peers of the same age
- Excessive height or very rapid growth (gigantism)
- Enlarged hands, feet, or facial features in adults
- Unexplained fatigue and reduced muscle mass
- Increased body fat without a clear dietary reason
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
This test can help identify several conditions related to the growth hormone system:
- Growth hormone deficiency (GHD), where the pituitary gland does not produce enough GH, often resulting in short stature in children
- Acromegaly, a condition in adults caused by excess GH after bone growth has stopped, leading to enlarged extremities and facial changes
- Gigantism, caused by excess GH in children before the bones have finished growing
- Pituitary tumours (benign growths on the pituitary gland)
- Hypopituitarism, where the pituitary gland produces too little of multiple hormones
- GH insensitivity, where the body cannot respond normally to growth hormone
Growth Disorder Panel Test for Chronic Disease Monitoring
For children and adults receiving growth hormone replacement therapy, this test is an important monitoring tool. IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels are measured regularly to check whether treatment is effective and safe. The goal of therapy is to keep these levels within the age-appropriate reference range, ideally in the middle to upper portion. Doctors typically repeat the test every few months during the treatment period.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Preparation for this test is straightforward, but a few steps will help ensure an accurate result.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is generally required for the IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 components of this panel. However, if your doctor includes growth hormone testing, an overnight fast and 30 minutes of complete rest before sample collection may be recommended. Follow your doctor's specific instructions.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Keep these points in mind before your growth disorder panel test procedure:
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and any relevant family or medical history, as this is required for the test
- Stop taking biotin (a vitamin B supplement) at least 72 hours before the test, as it can interfere with results
- Inform your doctor about all medications you take, especially corticosteroids or hormonal medicines
- Wear a loose-fitting top or short-sleeved clothing to allow easy access to your arm
- Schedule your appointment in the morning, as advised by most doctors
- Stay well hydrated unless fasting has been advised
Step-by-Step Procedure
- A trained phlebotomist reviews your details and confirms the clinical history documentation.
- You sit comfortably, and the inner elbow area is cleaned with an antiseptic wipe.
- A tourniquet (elastic band) is placed around the upper arm to make the vein easier to find.
- A small needle is used to draw a blood sample into a gel tube; this takes under a minute.
- The tourniquet is removed, and light pressure is applied to stop any minor bleeding.
- The labelled sample is stored at the correct temperature and dispatched to the laboratory for analysis.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can influence your results. These include:
- Biotin supplement use before the test
- Recent food intake when fasting was required
- Time of day, as growth hormone is released in pulses throughout the day
- Medications such as corticosteroids or oestrogen
- Liver or kidney disease, which can reduce IGF-1 production
- Malnutrition or severe illness
Understanding Your Growth Disorder Panel Test Results
Your results should always be reviewed together with your doctor, who will consider your age, sex, pubertal stage, and overall health. The table below shows general reference ranges, though these vary considerably with age.
| Parameter | Typical Reference Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Growth Hormone (GH), adults at rest | 0 to 3 ng/mL | Single readings are rarely conclusive |
| GH post-stimulation, children | 10 ng/mL or above indicates an adequate response | Used in stimulation testing |
| IGF-1 | Age and sex dependent; peaks around age 11 to 13 years | Laboratory-specific ranges apply |
| IGFBP-3 | Age and sex dependent; peaks around age 11 to 14 years | Interpreted alongside IGF-1 |
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain health conditions can alter your panel results independently of growth hormone disorders. Liver disease can reduce IGF-1 levels because the liver is the main organ that produces this hormone. Insulin resistance or diabetes can also affect IGF-1 readings. Malnutrition and severe systemic illness may lower levels even when the pituitary gland is working normally.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
These general wellness tips support the body's natural growth hormone function:
- Eat a diet with adequate protein, as protein intake is essential for IGF-1 production
- Engage in regular physical activity suited to your age and health condition
- Prioritise quality sleep, since growth hormone is released mainly during deep sleep
Lupin Diagnostics Growth Disorder Panel Test Price and Home Collection
The growth disorder panel test is available at Lupin Diagnostics starting at ₹9,000, with home sample collection available for added convenience. The table below lists cities where this test can be booked; prices will be confirmed at the time of booking.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 9000 |
| CHENNAI | 5300 |
| HYDERABAD | 9000 |
| KOLKATA | 9000 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 9000 |
| PUNE | 9000 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred time slot.
- Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Home Collection
Lupin Diagnostics offers growth disorder panel test home collection across multiple cities, so you can have your sample collected at a time that suits you. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories by qualified professionals. Your digital report is shared securely once ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
This panel helps evaluate how well the growth hormone system is functioning. It is used to diagnose growth hormone deficiency, which can cause short stature in children, and growth hormone excess conditions such as gigantism or acromegaly. It is also used to monitor patients already receiving growth hormone therapy.
Fasting is generally not needed for IGF-1 or IGFBP-3 testing. However, if your doctor requests growth hormone testing as part of the panel, an overnight fast and a 30-minute rest period before blood collection may be advised. Always follow your doctor's specific instructions.
Growth hormone levels shift throughout the day depending on activity, food intake, and sleep. IGF-1 levels remain relatively stable, making them a more reliable indicator of overall growth hormone activity. Measuring IGF-1 provides a clearer picture of how the body is responding to growth hormone over time.
This test can be performed at any age, from infancy through adulthood, whenever a growth disorder is suspected. Reference ranges are specific to age, sex, and pubertal stage, so results are always interpreted in that context.
Yes. The liver produces around 90% of the IGF-1 circulating in the blood. Patients with chronic liver disease often have lower IGF-1 levels even when pituitary function is normal. Your doctor will consider this when interpreting the results.
During growth hormone replacement therapy, doctors typically repeat this test every three to six months, especially during the early stages of treatment. IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels help determine whether the therapy is effective and whether dosage adjustments are needed.
Yes. Clinical history is required for this test. Bring a summary of your symptoms, previous test reports, details of current medications, and any relevant family or medical history. This information helps the laboratory and your doctor interpret the results accurately.
Growth Disorder Panel Test: Booking, Price, and Results
