Patient Information

Endocrine Investigation Unit

Wolfson Diabetes & Endocrine Clinic

Glucagon stimulation test

information for adults

You will receive a separate appointment letter for this test.

What is a glucagon stimulation test?

Your doctor has referred you for the above test to measure your Growth hormone
levels after stimulation.

Growth hormone is released from the pituitary gland. In adults it plays a

role in maintaining muscle and bone mass, and affects the levels of body fat.
Growth Hormone also affects energy levels, memory and your general feeling
of well-being.

Do I need to prepare for the test?

You will need to fast from midnight the night before your test. Only plain water can
be drunk during the fasting period and the test. Please bring all medication with
you.

What happens during the test?

When you arrive at the Endocrine Investigation Unit you will be weighed and a
cannula (a fine plastic tube) will be inserted into a vein in your arm, to allow us to
take blood samples at regular intervals. The cannula will be flushed with saline to
prevent it blocking. After the first blood test you will be given an injection of
glucagon, which will stimulate your body to release growth hormone so it can be
measured. During the test you cannot eat and may only have plain water to sip.
When the test is completed the cannula will be removed and you will be given a
drink and a biscuit. You may also wish to bring a snack as you should not travel
home before you have eaten.

How long will the test take?

Blood tests will be taken at intervals over four hours; you may expect to be in the
Endocrine Investigation Unit for up to five hours. You may also like to bring
something to read during your test.

Glucagon Stimulation Test Innovation and excellence in health and care

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Patien
nt Inforrmatio
on

Will I experie
e nce any
y side effects?
e ?
Occasiona ally some people
p expperience nausea
n andd/or vomitting aroun
nd two hou
urs
into the te
est, but th
his usually resolves itself
i afterr a short tiime.

When will
w I ge
et my results?
?
Results caannot be given
g out over
o the te
elephone and
a will be
e discussed at your next
clinic appo
ointment.

her que
Any oth estions?
?
Please con
ntact the endocrine
e unit on 01
1223 2178
848
09.00 17.00 Mond day Friday.

The timingg of the te

est is impoortant so please
p atte
end at the time spec
cified on your
y
appointme ent letter. If you are
e unable to attend your
y appointment please contact
the endoccrine unit to
t re-arran nge it.

al Inform
Genera mation
Discounte
ed parking is availabble for patiients atten
nding clinicc appointm
ments over three
hours durration. Ple
ease present your apppointmen nt letter to
o receive th
his.

Food and drink -theere is a cofffee shop in the trea

atment centre atrium
m and furtther
food and drink
d facilities in the
e main hosspital conc
course.

We are now a smok

ke-free site
e: smoking
g will not be
b allowed anywhere on the
hospital site.
s

For advicee and suppo

ort in quittting, contact your GP
P or the fre
ee NHS stop smoking
g
helpline on
n 0800 1699 0 169

Help with
h this leafflet:

If you would like thiis informattion in another language, large print

or audio format,
f ple
ease ask thhe departm ment to con
ntact
Patient Informationn: 01223 216032
2 or
patient.inform
mation@ad ddenbrook kes.nhs.uk

Document history
Authors Endocrrine specialis
st nurse
Departmentt Cambrridge University Hospitalls NHS Foundation Trustt, Hills Road,,
Cambrridge, CB2 0QQ
0 www.cuh.org.uk
Contact num
mber 01223 217848
Publish/Review date Februa
ary 2014/Febbruary 2017
7
File name Glucag
gon_stimulattion_test
Version num
mber/Ref 1/PIN3
3491

Glucagon Stimulation
S Test Innovatio
on and exc
cellence in health andd care
Page 2 of 2 Addenbrook
A kes Hospita
al l Rosie Hospital
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