
IGF-1 Test
Fasting Required: No
Specimen: Blood
Results: 3-5 Business Days
Description:
An indirect measure of the average amount of growth hormone (GH) being produced by the body. This insulin-like growth factor level is used to evaluate disturbances of growth and to monitor treatment with growth hormones.
Methodology
Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS)
Clinical Significance
Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I, or somatomedin C), a protein involved in stimulating somatic growth, is regulated principally by growth hormone (GH) and nutritional intake. IGF-I is transported in serum by several proteins; this helps maintain relatively high IGF-I plasma levels and minimizes fluctuations in serum IGF-I concentrations.
Measuring IGF-I is useful in several growth-related disorders. Dwarfism caused by deficiency of growth hormone (hypopituitarism) results in decreased serum levels of IGF-I, while acromegaly (growth hormone excess) results in elevated levels of IGF-I. IGF-I measurements are also helpful in assessing nutritional status; levels are reduced in undernutrition and restored with a proper diet.
Alternative Name(s)
Somatomedin-C, Insulin-Like Growth Factor, IGF-1