Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) is a protein that is closely related to growth factors. Our IGF-1 blood test is commonly used to measure levels of human growth hormone (hGH) and its activity. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1, or somatomedin C) is a protein involved in stimulating somatic growth and is regulated principally by growth hormone (GH) and nutritional intake. IGF-1 is transported in blood by several proteins; this helps maintain relatively high IGF-1 plasma levels and minimizes fluctuations in serum IGF-1 concentrations. Measuring IGF-1 is useful in several growth-related disorders. Dwarfism caused by deficiency of growth hormone (hypopituitarism) results in decreased serum levels of IGF-1, while acromegaly (growth hormone excess) results in elevated levels of IGF-1. IGF-1 measurements are also helpful in assessing nutritional status; levels are reduced in undernutrition and restored with a proper diet.
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