Growth Hormone
Growth hormone (GH) is made by the pituitary gland and drives growth, tissue repair, and aspects of metabolism. This is a measurement of GH itself in the blood.
Growth hormone is released in pulses, mostly during deep sleep and exercise, so a single random level can be hard to interpret on its own. Because of this, it is often measured during specially designed stimulation or suppression tests, or alongside IGF-1, which gives a steadier picture. GH supports muscle and bone health, body composition, and energy metabolism throughout life.
A high random GH is not necessarily abnormal because of its pulsatile pattern, but persistently elevated levels or a failure to suppress during testing can point toward excess GH (acromegaly in adults). Results are best interpreted within a structured test rather than as a single value.
A low GH may be a normal finding between pulses, or it can reflect reduced pituitary output, which is why stimulation testing is often used to assess true GH deficiency.
There is no meaningful single 'target' for a random GH level because it rises and falls in bursts. Interpretation depends on the type of test performed and accompanying results such as IGF-1, guided by your clinician.
Sources
Educational context only, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Reference ranges vary by lab, age and sex; always discuss your results with a clinician.