Endocrinology Testing in Day Medicine: Leuprolide Study

These instructions are for Children's Hospital of Philadelphia patients who are scheduled for a leuprolide study to determine if their bodies are in puberty.

Important information:

Your child is scheduled to have a leuprolide (Lupron®) study to evaluate the hormones related to puberty. Learn more about early puberty.

Preparing for the test

Instructions for eating and drinking:

• There are no fasting or dietary restrictions for this test. Your child may eat and drink normally.

• You may give your child their daily medicines the morning of the test.

• Encourage extra fluids for two days before the scheduled appointment. This will help your child feel better and may help the team place the IV more quickly.

Instructions for the day of testing:

• Leuprolide studies are performed on the Day Medicine Unit located on the 3rd floor of the Buerger Building. Plan to arrive at your scheduled appointment time. Please allow extra time to park and check in.

• Plan for childcare for siblings. Due to safety concerns for patients who may have a compromised immune system and limited space on the unit, Day Medicine cannot accommodate siblings.

• If you need to cancel testing, please notify Day Medicine (215-590-1668) ahead of time so the appointment slot can be offered to another patient.

• Wear short sleeve shirt if possible. If a long sleeve shirt is worn, please be sure it is loose fitting.

What to expect during the test:

• When you arrive, your child will have an IV (intravenous) line placed in the hand or arm. Once this IV is in place, all blood samples needed will be drawn from the IV.

• The test lasts about 2 hours.

• There is a television in the unit for your child to watch.

• Leuprolide is given by an injection under the skin (subcutaneous) in the arm.

  • Some people experience flushing with leuprolide. This is normal and goes away on its own. There are no other expected side effects from this medicine.

• Blood samples will be drawn before the injection and at 30, 60, and 120 minutes (about 2 hours) after the medicine is given.

• After the last blood draw, the IV will be taken out and your child will be sent home.

Instructions following the test:

• Your provider may also order a follow-up blood test to measure hormone levels, either estradiol or testosterone, approximately 24 hours after the leuprolide is given. This test requires a separate lab slip and can be done at CHOP or at an outside lab, such as Quest or LabCorp. Your team will give you the lab slip if your child needs it.

• Your child may return to school and their normal activities tomorrow.

• They can eat a regular diet.

• Your child should take any medicines on their regular schedule.

• Your endocrinology team will contact you as the results are interpreted. This could take 2-4 weeks.

If you have any questions about the test, call the Day Medicine Unit at (215) 590-1668.

For any other questions or concerns about your child's care, contact the Division of Endocrinology.

Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes

Reviewed on March 1, 2023, by Marissa Kilberg, MD; Andy Calabria, MD