Professional
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
IGF-1
Also written as: IGF-1 — Insulin-like Growth Factor 1
Insulin-like growth factor 1, a hormone that mediates growth hormone effects and is commonly measured in adolescent growth assessments.
Full Definition
IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1) is a protein hormone produced primarily in the liver in response to growth hormone stimulation. In adolescent medicine, IGF-1 levels are routinely measured to evaluate growth disorders, as they reflect growth hormone activity more reliably than direct growth hormone measurement. Elevated levels may suggest acromegaly or gigantism, while low levels can indicate growth hormone deficiency or malnutrition.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalized; avoid spelling out the full form in routine clinical documentation.
In Context
- "Laboratory results showed IGF-1 levels below the 5th percentile for age, prompting growth hormone stimulation testing." — Laboratory report
- "The endocrinologist ordered IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 to evaluate the patient's short stature." — Consultation note
Also known as
insulin-like growth factor 1
somatomedin C
Don't confuse with
IGF-2
IGFBP-3
growth hormone