This test is performed to check the function of the pituitary gland.

It is a small gland in the base of the brain, a few inches behind the bridge of the nose, which has a major role in the control of your body hormone production.

You are requested not to eat or drink anything from mid-night on the day of the test. If you are on any medication, withhold taking hormone replacement therapy, steroid tablets, thyroxine tablets until the test is complete.

You will be asked to lie flat for the duration of the test. Your named nurse will introduced herself and explain what to expect.

A small needle/canula will be inserted into a vein in the back of your hand or arm. This is called a venflon and allows your named nurse to obtain blood samples without causing too much discomfort.

We will take a blood sample to check the baseline value of cortisol and growth hormone. We will also check the blood sugar level. We will then give you a calculated amount of insulin, which will reduce your blood sugar to significantly low level. It is essential to achieve a significantly low blood sugar level so as to stress the brain, which will in turn stimulate your pituitary gland to produce hormones. Unfortunately, you may feel unwell with shaking, sweating, feel hungry, tired and sleepy when your blood sugar is at a low level. You will be observed closely and once your blood sugar is low enough to stimulate your pituitary, we will give you a glucose injection, if necessary, to bring your blood sugar back to normal level. A bedside check for the blood sugar will be done as necessary during the test until your blood sugar is back to normal and stable.

Blood samples will be taken through the cannula in your arm at 30 minutes interval for two hours after the injection of insulin to measure the growth hormone and cortisol response to insulin induced low sugar stress.

You will be monitored very closely throughout the test.

On completion your venflon will be removed and you will be offered refreshments prior to going home. You should have some rest and also have something to eat before you go home after the test.

Who will get the results?

Your doctor will be informed of the results.

Please note that Clinical Investigation Unit has no smoking policy.

If you have any queries or worries, please do not hesitate to contact the nursing staff for further information's on 01382 632494.

We hope to make your stay as pleasant as possible.