I've read patients being on both ends of this spectrum high GH and low GH.
The way I got it in my mind is this master gland is a switch room. Some nut named adenoma went in and flipped all the switches at randowm. Some endocrine levels can be hyper meaning too much, some endocrine levels can be hypo meaning little or no detectable levels.
Others here also are very educated in this arena, wait for their posts, I'll see what I can dig up.

It is not easy to measure hGH as it does not remain stable. IGF-1 remains more stable in the bloodstream. Most endocrinologists test for both hGH and IGF-1. From my experience ALL pituitary functions get tested and are monitored, especially for a while following a resection to make sure that everything is still working OK.

I think Rose is correct. My Endo checks both IGF-1 and GH every 3 months. She also checks blood glucose including A1c (Sandostatin LAR causes mine to be high), creatinine (blood test for kidney function), electrolytes (including potassium), calcium, thyroid function and liver profile. I think some of this bloodwork is because I'm on the Sandostatin injections. I believe GH can vary acording to time of day and like Rose says it's a less stable indicator. I'm no expert but I believe when GH is up, that's when I feel my worst (usually at night or early a.m.) Like I say, I'm no expert though. Acromegaly is not a simple disease. Great discussion. Janey

janey thanks for the list of your blood tests I want to check and see if the same ones re being checked for me...after the first 1.5 years after surgery if your blood work has been stable...for example IGF-1 in the normal range..I think they taper to checking blood every 6 months or even less....If your on meds they should be checking it every 3 months ..thats what i have heard.

nothing to add, but that Rose is correct,
And let me share that with the power of your thoughts you can make it better, only you have to do it daily non stop and monitor to see the results.
what I think is what I create.

Think about it and you will agree.

I have a question.
When I was diagnosed with acromegely, my IGF level was in the 1500s. After surgery and being on Sandostatin it went down to the 600s (January and February). They took me off the medication for 2 months prior to radiation treatments and 2 months after radiation. My levels are now back up to the 1500s. Has this happened to anyone else?

Hi Califidy,

I have never heard of this, it does seems strange that levels have gone up, my daughter has had 2 surgeries and radiation tratment, her levels were high like yours, its been 2 years this october since radiation, her igf-1 is lower 600 but still too high, did they give you any reason for this.Take careAnne

I am seeing the endo tomorrow, however he didn't seem to be to concerened when I questioned him.

I was told by 3 different doctors...it's all about hte IGF-1 level....that has to go down to the normal range...in order of acro to be in remission...and the effects of '"growing" not be determental...basically I understood that the goal was to get IGF-1 down...there are many ways to do this ...but in some cases it may mean meds the rest of our lifes...

I think last time we were at hospital for tests, they did seem more interested in igf-1 levels, my daughter has now had pegvisamont added into her medications, inejection once a week, they are taking blood also once a week to check her liver function. were keeping our fingers crossed that this injection is going to work, where the other meds havnt done so well.

Ulrike,

In answer to you original question, for a person with untreated acromegaly (in general terms) GH levels will remain high at all times during the day and night.

In a normal person, GH is given out overnight mainly and then in small spurts through the day (for example, under stress, another spurt is given out).

Obviously, someone with acromegaly, GH is being produced by the pituitary gland itself and also the tumour that's clinging onto the pituitary gland. Generally then the amount of GH produced by the adenoma will be much higher than that produced by the pituitary gland so the nightly effect will not be obvious.

As an aside, for diagnosis, as others here have pointed out, IGF-1 is the most reliable diagnostic measure for acromegaly as it responds to GH to the average amount of GH in the bloodstream and stays a reasonably steady level.

Trys
www.acromegaly.wordpress.com

It is also my understanding that it is the IGF-1 that affects the body. If they can control that then it cuts down on the damage that it does to your body.