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Essential4Health

Get Healthy ~ Stay Healthy

Essential4Health

Get Healthy ~ Stay Healthy

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Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1

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IGF1

Description

"Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1" (IGF-1) test measures the level of this hormone in your blood to assess growth regulation, metabolic function, and hormone activity. Doctors often order this test to evaluate unusual growth patterns, fatigue, or suspected endocrine disorders. Low IGF-1 levels may indicate growth hormone deficiency or malnutrition, while elevated levels could reflect excess hormone production. Results help guide diagnosis, monitor hormone therapy, or inform next steps. Ongoing testing supports long-term care for growth and metabolic conditions.

"Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1" (IGF-1) test measures the level of this hormone in your blood to assess growth regulation, metabolic function, and hormone activity. Doctors often order this test to evaluate unusual growth patterns, fatigue, or suspected endocrine disorders. Low IGF-1 levels may indicate growth hormone deficiency or malnutrition, while elevated levels could reflect excess hormone production. Results help guide diagnosis, monitor hormone therapy, or inform next steps. Ongoing testing supports long-term care for growth and metabolic conditions.

Category

Hormones

Procedure

Invasive

Sample Type

Blood – Serum

Units

Nanograms Per Milliliter | Nanomoles Per Liter

Procedure Category

Blood Draw

Test Group

Male Health Group, Female Health Group, Hormone Health Group

Test Group Description

Female Health Group: A comprehensive array of tests provides insights into various aspects of female health and wellness, aiding in the evaluation and management of overall health for females. Hormone Health Group: Its focus is on evaluating hormone levels and function, providing insights into hormonal balance and associated health conditions. Male Health Group: A comprehensive array of tests provides insights into various aspects of male health and wellness, aiding in the evaluation and management of overall health for men.

Optimal Range

For All Individuals:

  • Conventional Unit: 200–300 ng/mL

  • SI Unit: 26.2–39.3 nmol/L

Normal Range

For Age-Specific Ranges:

  • Conventional Unit: 20–24 years: 189–343 ng/mL | 25–29 years: 160–299 ng/mL | 30–34 years: 138–263 ng/mL | 35–39 years: 124–237 ng/mL | 40–44 years: 115–218 ng/mL | 45–49 years: 109–204 ng/mL | 50–54 years: 104–194 ng/mL | 55–59 years: 99–185 ng/mL | 60–64 years: 92–175 ng/mL | 65–69 years: 83–162 ng/mL | ≥70 years: 69–143 ng/mL

  • SI Unit: 20–24 years: 24.8–44.9 nmol/L | 25–29 years: 21.0–39.2 nmol/L | 30–34 years: 18.1–34.5 nmol/L | 35–39 year...

Results That Differ From The Norm (Direct and Indirect Causes)

Increased levels may indicate:


  • Acromegaly (Excess growth hormone production in adulthood)

  • Certain tumors (Tumors that produce excess insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1))

  • Chronic kidney disease

  • Cirrhosis (Liver scarring)

  • Exogenous growth hormone (Administration of external growth hormone)

  • Genetic disorders (Conditions a...

Key Reasons For Testing

  • Growth Hormone Disorders: Evaluates IGF-1 levels to assess overall growth hormone activity.

  • Diagnosis of Growth Disorders: Aids in diagnosing and monitoring conditions like growth hormone deficiency or excess.

  • Acromegaly and Gigantism: Detects elevated IGF-1 levels to diagnose and monitor these conditions.

  • Monitoring Treatment Response: Tracks IGF-1 levels during growth hormone therapy to assess efficacy.

Health Status Conditions It May Be Used To Assess

Currently, this test is not directly associated with any conditions listed on the Health Status page. However, it may be included as part of a broader set of tests linked to specific health conditions.

Some Prominent Medical Labs That May Offer This Test

Please note that this particular test has not been associated with any of the listed prominent medical labs. We recommend enquiring with your private physician or nearest hospital to determine where this specific test can be performed.

References

Important Note

Any medical procedure yielding results outside the norm may be directly or indirectly linked to the conditions outlined on this page. Various factors, including genetics, medication and supplement usage, recent illnesses, pregnancy, pre-test eating, smoking, and stress, can impact the test's outcome. Additionally, factors like false positives, false negatives, inaccurate analyses, and others can influence results.


Reference ranges, which help healthcare professionals interpret medical tests, may vary depending on age, gender, and other factors. They may also differ between laboratories due to variations in instruments and methods used. Optimal ranges are designed for preventive purposes, aiming to identify trends and potential risks early, while normal ranges reflect conventional laboratory values indicating no current disease or pathology. Your healthcare practitioner may have specific reasons for testing that deviate from the usual or may interpret results differently based on individual circumstances. Proper interpretation typically involves considering clinical findings and other diagnostic tests. Hence, it is crucial to provide your healthcare professionals with a comprehensive medical history, consult with them for result interpretation, and follow their guidance for potential re-testing or additional diagnostics.

Disclaimer

This content is provided solely for informative and educational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. Regarding the interpretation of their medical test results and/or specific health questions, it is recommended that all readers and viewers consult their physicians or other qualified health professionals. The publisher is not responsible for any adverse health effects that may result from reading or following the information in this educational content. Before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program, all viewers, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physician or health care practitioner.


Please note that while prominent lab names are included in this content, we cannot guarantee that these labs offer all the tests mentioned. For confirmation, individuals should contact the labs directly or consult their medical practitioners. The information provided reflects general knowledge at the time of publication and may not include recent updates or emerging research. Readers should verify details with qualified professionals to ensure the most up-to-date and accurate guidance.

[1] Chanson P, Arnoux A, Mavromati M, et al. Reference values for IGF-I serum concentrations: comparison of six immunoassays. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016;101(9):3450-3458.
[2] Clemmons DR. Clinical utility of measurements of insulin-like growth factor 1. Nat Clin Pract Endocrinol Metab.2006;2(9):436-446.
[3] Juul A. Serum levels of insulin-like growth factor I and its binding proteins in health and disease. Growth Horm IGF Res. 2003;13(4):113-170.
[4] Friedrich N, Thuesen B, Jørgensen T, et al. The association between IGF-I and insulin resistance: a general population study in Danish adults. Diabetes Care. 2012;35(4):768-773.
[5] Wilson DM, Frane J. A brief review of the use and utility of growth hormone stimulation testing in the NCGS: do we need to do provocative testing? Growth Horm IGF Res. 2005;15(Suppl A).
[6] Colao A, di Somma C, Savastano S, Lombardi G. Pituitary function in adult patients who were treated for GH deficiency in childhood. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2009;5(3):131-138.
[7] Ho KK. Consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of adults with GH deficiency. J Clin Endocrinol Metab.2007;92(5):1086-1093.
[8] Bidlingmaier M, Friedrich N, Emeny RT, et al. Reference intervals for insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) from birth to senescence: results from a multicenter study using a new automated chemiluminescence IGF-I immunoassay conforming to recent international recommendations. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014;99(5):1712-1721.
[9] Renehan AG, Zwahlen M, Minder C, O'Dwyer ST, Shalet SM, Egger M. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF binding protein-3, and cancer risk: systematic review and meta-regression analysis. Lancet. 2004;363(9418):1346-1353.
[10] Baxter RC. IGF binding proteins in cancer: mechanistic and clinical insights. Nat Rev Cancer. 2014;14(5):329-341.
[11] Juul A, Bang P, Hertel NT, et al. Serum insulin-like growth factor-I in 1030 healthy children, adolescents, and adults: relation to age, sex, stage of puberty, testicular size, and body mass index. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1994;78(3):744-752.
[12] Brabant G, von zur Mühlen A, Wüster C, et al. Serum insulin-like growth factor I reference values for an automated chemiluminescence immunoassay system: results from a multicenter study in healthy adults and comparison with previously established reference ranges. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003;88(8):4075-4079.

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