Triple bolus test

A triple bolus test or a dynamic pituitary function test is a medical diagnostic procedure used to assess a patient's pituitary function. Three hormones (usually synthetic analogues) are injected as a bolus into the patient's vein to stimulate the anterior pituitary gland: insulin, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). The gland's response is assessed by measuring cortisol, growth hormone (GH), prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) hormone levels. Blood glucose levels are also monitored for hypoglycemia. A triple bolus test is usually ordered and interpreted by endocrinologists.