Growth Hormone Stim Test For Kids (No Waiting!)

When your child needs a growth hormone stim test, waiting months for an appointment can feel unbearable. Growth doesn’t pause while you sit on a waitlist, and once growth plates close, the window for height change is gone.

At The Endocrine Company, there’s no waiting for a stim test and bone age. We’ve designed a streamlined pathway so most families can complete bone age imaging, stim testing, and results in about a week.

Get Started

One week from now, you could have a completed bone age, stim test results, and a clear plan for your child’s growth.

Schedule a Growth Evaluation

Growth Hormone Stim Testing

What Is a Stim Test?

If you’ve just been told your child needs a “stim test,” you might be wondering what that really means.

A growth hormone stim test (growth hormone stimulation test) checks whether your child’s body can make enough growth hormone. Because growth hormone is released in pulses throughout the day, a single random blood test isn’t very helpful. Instead, we gently “stimulate” the body to release growth hormone and measure its levels over several hours.

This stim testing is a key part of diagnosing growth hormone deficiency and deciding whether growth hormone treatment might help your child.

New to stim testing? Start here:

If you’re wondering what a “stim test” actually is, this quick parent guide walks through why it’s ordered, what happens step by step, how long it takes, and what results can mean.

Read the Parent's Guide

Why Timing Matters for Growth Hormone Stim Testing.

Children only have so many years left to grow. When a growth stim test is delayed by 8–10 months, valuable growth time can be lost.

Earlier diagnosis and treatment of growth hormone–related conditions give children a better chance of reaching a height closer to their genetic potential and can improve long-term quality of life.

Our goal is to remove unnecessary waiting so that, if treatment is needed, your child can start as early as possible—while growth plates are still open.

Why timing matters, and how we move fast.

Learn why long waitlists can cost precious growth time, and how our coordinated consult + bone age + stim test + results visit is typically completed in about a week.

See the No-Wait Pathway

How Our Growth Hormone Stim Test Works

We perform your child’s growth hormone stim test evaluation in a comfortable, child-focused setting.

Before the test we will:

  • Give

    you clear instructions on fasting and medications.

  • Answer

    questions about what to bring and how to prepare.

  • Encourage

    your child to bring comfort items (blanket, stuffed animal, tablet, favorite movies).

During the test:

  • A nurse places a small IV in your child’s arm or hand. This IV is used to give medicines and draw blood samples, so your child doesn’t need multiple needle sticks.

  • Medications are given to stimulate the pituitary gland to release growth hormone gently.

  • Over the next few hours, blood samples are taken through the IV to measure growth hormone levels at different time points.

  • Your child is closely monitored throughout the growth hormone stim test. We watch for side effects like sleepiness, low blood sugar, or nausea and treat them right away if they occur.

Most tests take between 2½ and 6 hours, depending on the protocol. Your child can rest, watch movies, and have you by their side the entire time.

Bone Age + Stim Test, Without the Wait

In many systems, bone age imaging and stim testing are booked on different days, in different departments, often months apart.

At The Endocrine Company, we coordinate:

  • Bone age x-ray
  • Growth hormone stim test
  • Results visit

…as a single, integrated pathway, typically completed within about a week.

That means you move quickly from “my child might have a problem” to “we know what’s going on and what to do next.”

What Your Results Tell Us:

After your child’s stim test and bone age, your pediatric endocrine provider will:

  • Review how high your child’s growth hormone levels rose during stim testing
  • Compare results with your child’s age, growth history, and bone age
  • Determine whether growth hormone deficiency or another condition is likely
  • Explain whether growth hormone treatment or another approach is recommended

You’ll get results explained in plain language, plus time to ask every question you have.

How Early Treatment Can Help:

If testing shows true growth hormone deficiency, starting treatment earlier rather than later can:

  • Improve the chance of reaching a height closer to genetic potential
  • Support bone health and body composition
  • Help children feel more confident as they move through school and social settings

While no doctor can guarantee a specific adult height, we can make sure that if treatment is appropriate, your child isn’t losing precious time on a waitlist.

Pricing and What's Included

Our growth hormone stim test pathway is designed with clarity in mind, so you know what is included from the start.

Growth Hormone STIM Test | $495 Members | $995 Non-Members

Members of The Endocrine Company benefit from significantly reduced pricing on stim testing, making it easier to move forward quickly when testing is recommended. Our goal is to keep costs clear and predictable so families can focus on getting answers rather than worrying about surprise bills.

Your package will include:

  • Initial Growth Evaluation

  • Bone Age X-Ray and Interpretation

  • Growth Hormone Stimulation Test

  • Results Consultation

  • Written Action Plan and Follow-Up Recommendations

  • Contact Us for More Information

Because each child’s needs are different, we’ll review the specific details and pricing with you before you move forward. You’ll always know what to expect.

We are a direct-pay practice. We’re happy to provide you with documentation you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all children with short stature need a growth hormone stim test?

No. Some children are simply small or late bloomers. Your pediatric endocrine provider will decide whether a growth hormone stim test is needed based on growth charts, bone age, medical history, and exam.

Is a stim test painful for my child?

Most kids say the hardest part is the IV. After that, blood is drawn through the IV, so there are no repeated needle sticks. We work hard to keep kids comfortable and distracted throughout the test.

How long does a growth hormone stim test take?

Most tests last between 2½ and 6 hours. Your child goes home the same day.

How much does a growth hormone stim test cost?

Our growth hormone STIM test is $495 for Members and $995 for Non-Members. Pricing is transparent and all-inclusive for the test itself, so you know what to expect up front instead of facing surprise bills weeks or months later.

How quickly will we see results?

With our no-wait process, most families receive results and a complete plan within about a week of testing, instead of waiting weeks or months.

What age ranges do you see for growth concerns?

We commonly see children from early elementary through late teens. If you’re unsure whether your child is a good fit, our team can help you decide.

Take the Next Step

If your child has been referred for a growth hormone stim test or you’re worried about slow growth, you don’t have to wait months for answers.

Schedule a Growth Consult