Test Database

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)

Description
IGF-1 measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay using the Diasorin Liaison
Clinical details
Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) is one of a group of peptides including IGF-2 and IGF binding proteins, whose principal role is to coordinate growth and metabolism. IGF-I is highly dependent on growth hormone and has potent growth promoting activity. It is primarily synthesized in the liver, and then transported in plasma by IGF-binding proteins such as IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-3, These binding proteins are responsible for the relatively high concentration of IGF-1 in plasma and act to minimize plasma concentration fluctuations. IGF-1 measurements are useful in the diagnosis of growth disorders as an adjunct to assessment of growth hormone secretion. Patients with active acromegaly consistently have elevated IGF-1 concentrations. Serum IGF-1 also seems to correlate with disease status significantly better than growth hormone and may therefore be a superior means to indicate improvement following therapy. In addition, IGF-1 measurement is useful in the investigation of short stature in children. If measured in conjunction with growth hormone during a stimulation test, it may assist in establishing the cause of retarded growth. A low IGF-1 value cannot be taken as proof of growth hormone deficiency since it is also compatible with nutritional deficiency, chronic illness and hypothyroidism.
Reference range

*PLEASE NOTE: We are assaying IGF1 using the Diasorin Liaison method. From 28/09/2016 we have updated our reference ranges to the newest established by Diasorin, please see below. These changes have already been applied to our results online and our printed results service.*

*MALE*

Age Range (years): Range nmol/L

  • 1-5 yrs: 1.6 – 30.5
  • 6-8 yrs: 2.2 – 45.5
  • 9-11 yrs: 3.0 – 60.1
  • 12-15 yrs: 6.4 – 68.1
  • 16-20 yrs: 15.6 – 66.9
  • 21-24 yrs: 13.8 – 47.7
  • 25-39 yrs: 10.7 – 37.1
  • 40-54 yrs: 8.1 – 31.0
  • >55 yrs: 2.0 – 32.2

*FEMALE*

Age Range (years): Range nmol/L

  • 1-5 yrs: 1.2 – 32.9
  • 6-8 yrs: 3.1 – 51.9
  • 9-11 yrs: 6.4 -71.9
  • 12-15 yrs: 11.8 – 78.1
  • 16-20 yrs: 14.3 – 68.9
  • 21-24 yrs: 13.4 – 46.0
  • 25-39 yrs: 10.2 – 40.7
  • 40-54 yrs: 6.7 – 35.5
  • >55 yrs: 2.2 – 32.0
Units
nmol/L
Testing site
Synnovis : Reference Services : King's College Hospital
Laboratory
Immunochemistry
Sample type and volume required
Serum from a plain vacutainer (330µL).
Storage and transport
Send frozen on dry ice.
Turnaround time
1 week
Contacts

Immunochemistry Laboratory at Blackfriars Hub
Phone: 020 8078 8984
Immunochemistry Laboratory
Floor 1, Synnovis hub
Friars Bridge Court
41-43 Blackfriars Road
London, SE1 8NZ

Reference Biochemistry Department at King’s College Hospital
Phone: 020 3299 4107
King’s College Hospital
Denmark Hill
London SE5 9RS

Last updated:

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