IGF-1
The stable downstream marker of growth hormone activity.
What it is
Insulin-like growth factor 1 is made by the liver in response to growth hormone. Because growth hormone itself pulses, IGF-1 is the practical blood measure of that axis.
Why it matters
IGF-1 outside the reference interval raises questions about the growth hormone axis and is interpreted against age-specific ranges.
This guide is educational only and cannot diagnose you. Discuss results, especially anything outside your laboratory’s reference interval, or that does not match how you feel, with a GP or other appropriately qualified clinician.
This guide is educational only and cannot diagnose you. Discuss results, especially anything outside your laboratory’s reference interval, or that does not match how you feel, with a GP or other appropriately qualified clinician.
How it affects the body
It mediates growth hormone's effects on tissue growth and repair.
For athletes
IGF-1 is on doping panels for a reason; supplement claims to raise it rarely survive testing, and unexplained high results deserve honest review of what is being taken.
Related tests
No published panels currently list this marker.