IGF-1
Pronunciation: eye-gee-ef-one
Also written as: IGF-1 — insulin-like growth factor-1
Growth factor measured to assess growth hormone status and monitor treatment response.
Full Definition
Insulin-like growth factor-1, a protein hormone that mediates many of the growth-promoting effects of growth hormone (GH). IGF-1 is produced primarily by the liver in response to GH stimulation and has a longer half-life than GH itself, making it a more reliable marker for assessing GH status. In pediatric endocrinology, IGF-1 levels help diagnose growth hormone deficiency, monitor growth hormone therapy effectiveness, and screen for growth hormone excess. Age- and sex-specific reference ranges are essential for proper interpretation.
Usage
Usage note: Report with age- and sex-specific percentiles, not just absolute values.
In Context
- "The patient's IGF-1 level was below the 5th percentile for age, supporting the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency." — Laboratory interpretation
- "IGF-1 monitoring during growth hormone therapy helps optimize dosing and assess compliance." — Treatment protocol