The determination of circulating levels of growth hormone (GH) is a key aid in the diagnosis of medical conditions related to growth hormone deficiency (GHD) or growth hormone excess. Growth hormone is a polypeptide hormone that belongs to the superfamily of cytokines and is secreted by the pituitary glands. The GH 22KDa isoform is the main isoform in circulation and the determination thereof accurately reflects total GH secretion.₁ The most prominent function of GH is to stimulate longitudinal bone growth. In addition, GH also plays a role in cell growth, differentiation and metabolism in different tissues, such as bone, muscle, adipose tissue and liver.₂  

In clinical laboratory, the measurement of circulating levels of growth hormone is a key aid in the diagnosis of Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD). GHD in children is a condition characterised by an insufficient secretion of GH that causes an abnormally short stature when compared with their age group. GHD in children occurs in approximately 1:4000 to 1:10.000 cases3. GHD can be congenital (children who are born with GHD) or acquired, in either children or adults, where GHD is caused by damage in the pituitary gland or surrounding area. Causes of acquired GHD include brain tumour, surgery, severe brain injury, or radiation in the affected area.₃ 

The measurement of circulating levels of GH it is also a key aid in the diagnosis of Acromegaly, a rare condition caused by an excess of growth hormone in the blood due, in most cases, to non-cancerous tumours in the pituitary gland. Among the symptoms caused by high GH levels, we find high blood glucose, high blood pressure, heart failure or enlarged heart, among other symptoms. ₃

How Werfen can support you  

We can support your immunoassay portfolio expansion in the growth endocrinology panel by providing antibodies for the development and manufacturing of immunoassays to determine human growth hormone. 

Werfen growth hormone biomaterials portfolio consist of the following products  

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Contact us for further information on product availability and development stage 

[1] Ribeiro de Oliveira Longo Schweizer et al. Growth Hormone: isoforms, clinical aspects and assay interference. Clinical Diabetes and Endocrinology. 2018.

[2] Chia D. Minireview: Mechanisms of Growth Hormone Mediated gene regulation. Molecular Endocrinology. 2014.

[3] Endocrine Society. Accessed Online 12 Apr 2022. https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/growth-hormone-deficiency