No Waiting for Stim Test and Bone Age: Faster Growth Hormone Stim Testing for Kids

Why timing matters in growth hormone stim testing

When a child is not growing as expected, waiting can feel like the hardest part. You are trying to stay calm, but you also know something important. Growth plates do not stay open forever. Growth does not pause while your family sits on a waitlist.

That is why timing matters with a growth hormone stim test. If a child truly has growth hormone deficiency, earlier diagnosis and treatment are often associated with better height outcomes. The goal is not to rush. The goal is to avoid unnecessary delays that can cost precious growth time.

The problem: long waits for a growth stim test

For many families, the timeline looks something like this:

• Referral happens, but the next appointment is months out
• Initial endocrine visit leads to more labs and steps before scheduling
• Stim testing is scheduled far in the future
• Results take additional time
• Treatment discussions and next steps stretch even further

Even when the medical team is doing their best, the system can move slowly. Families often describe feeling stuck in the in-between. You are worried, your child is still growing slowly, and you do not know if you are losing time you cannot get back.

This is not only stressful emotionally. It affects school, sports, confidence, and everyday family life. It can also make it harder to feel steady when you are trying to support your child through uncertainty.

What is a growth hormone stim test? Quick recap

A growth hormone stim test is an outpatient test that helps determine whether a child’s body can produce enough growth hormone.

Growth hormone is released in pulses, so random blood tests are not reliable for diagnosing growth hormone deficiency. Stim testing uses medication to encourage the body to release growth hormone, and then measures levels through timed blood draws over a few hours. This helps your care team understand whether growth hormone deficiency is likely and what next steps make sense.

No waiting for stim test and bone age: how our process works

At The Endocrine Company, we built a streamlined pathway so families can move from concern to clarity quickly, without months of waiting.

Here is the typical one-week pathway:

• Consult
• Bone age imaging
• Growth hormone stim test
• Results visit and action plan

When bone age and stim testing are coordinated as one connected process, everything moves faster. You are not waiting for separate departments, separate scheduling windows, or weeks between steps. You are not repeating your story over and over. You are getting answers and a plan while it still matters most.

Why earlier testing can change a child’s trajectory

A growth hormone stim test is not something we recommend lightly. But when it is the right test, doing it sooner can make a meaningful difference.

Earlier testing can help your family:

• Understand sooner whether growth hormone deficiency is likely
• Rule out growth hormone deficiency and avoid prolonged uncertainty
• Make decisions while growth plates are still open
• Start appropriate treatment earlier, when treatment is indicated

This is not a promise of a specific outcome. No clinic can guarantee an adult height. But when a child truly needs treatment, earlier action often supports better opportunity, more options, and less time lost.

What families can expect at The Endocrine Company’s stim testing center

We designed our stim testing experience around the reality of what kids and parents actually need during a long outpatient visit.

What you can expect includes:

• A child-focused setting that supports comfort and calm
• Parent presence throughout the visit
• Clear instructions on fasting and medications ahead of time
• One IV for the visit, with blood draws through that line, so kids do not have repeated needle sticks
• Time and attention, because this is not a rushed appointment
• Transparent direct-pay pricing, so families know what to expect upfront

We also encourage families to bring comfort items that help your child feel secure during the test, such as a blanket, stuffed animal, tablet, movies, or headphones.

FAQ roundup: parents’ most common stim test questions

Does every child with short stature need a growth hormone stim test?

No. Many children are naturally small or develop later than their peers. A growth evaluation includes growth charts, growth patterns over time, history, exam, and, often, bone age before deciding whether stim testing is needed.

Will my child be in pain the whole time?

Most kids say the hardest part is getting an IV placed. After that, medications and blood draws are done through the IV line. Many children rest, watch movies, or nap during the visit.

How do we prepare for stim testing?

Your team will give you specific instructions, but preparation usually includes fasting the morning of the test and guidance on which medications to take or hold. Planning comfort items and entertainment can make the day smoother.

What happens after we get the results?

Your provider reviews the stim test results, along with your child’s bone age and growth history. If results are normal, you may be advised to monitor growth and follow up. If results suggest growth hormone deficiency, you will discuss next steps, including whether growth hormone therapy is appropriate and what the plan would entail.

A faster path from “something’s wrong” to “now we have a plan”

If your child has been referred for a growth hormone stim test or if you are worried about slow growth, you do not have to wait months for answers.

Our goal is simple. Replace long delays with a clear, coordinated process so your family can move forward with confidence.

Next step: Schedule a growth evaluation