Lever
Lifestyle
- Regular exercise
- Adequate sleep
- Stress management
Blutwerte · Marker
IGF-1
Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 · Somatomedin C · IGF1
Hormone — GH/IGF-AchseZeitabhängig
- Einheit:
- ng/mL
IGF-1 quantifies the level of insulin-like growth factor 1, a hormone involved in growth and anabolic processes.
Reference Ranges
Age Group
Reference
10–300ng/mL
10
300
LowNormalHigh
Reference
Unit · ng/mLReference ranges vary by age and sex; levels decline with age.
Overview
Übersicht
Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1), also known as Somatomedin C, is a hormone similar in molecular structure to insulin. It plays a crucial role in childhood growth and continues to have anabolic effects in adults. IGF-1 is primarily produced in the liver and its production is stimulated by growth hormone (GH). It is a key component of the GH/IGF axis, which regulates growth and development. Clinically, IGF-1 is important for assessing growth disorders, nutritional status, and age-related changes in muscle mass and strength. Researchers have found that IGF-1 levels can reflect conditions such as malnutrition, sarcopenia, and certain endocrine disorders. In the context of athletic performance and biohacking, IGF-1 is of interest due to its role in muscle growth and repair, making it a target for interventions aimed at enhancing physical performance and longevity. However, IGF-1 levels can be influenced by various factors including age, sex, nutritional status, and the presence of inflammation. Researchers observed that IGF-1 levels are less affected by inflammation compared to other nutritional markers, but they are not sufficiently specific to be used as standalone indicators of nutritional status. Time of day and fasting status can also affect IGF-1 measurements, necessitating standardized testing conditions.
Klinische Bedeutung
Elevated IGF-1 levels may indicate acromegaly or excess growth hormone production. Reduced levels can suggest growth hormone deficiency, malnutrition, or age-related decline in muscle mass.
Dynamics
Trend Interpretation
Rising Values
Progressively rising IGF-1 levels may suggest acromegaly or excessive GH therapy. Re-test in 4 weeks if levels are outside the optimal range.
Falling Values
Progressively falling IGF-1 levels may indicate aging, malnutrition, or GH deficiency.
Re-test Interval
4 weeks if outside optimal range
Etiology
Causes — High & Low
Cause
Elevated Levels
- Acromegaly
- Excess growth hormone therapy
- Puberty
- Pregnancy
- Liver disease
Cause
Low Levels
- Growth hormone deficiency
- Malnutrition
- Aging
- Hypopituitarism
- Chronic kidney disease
Protocol
How to Optimize
Lever
Nutrition
- Protein-rich diet
- Balanced caloric intake
Lever
Supplementation
- Arginine
- Zinc
Note:
Consult a healthcare provider before starting any supplementation, especially in the context of hormone-related conditions.
Testing Guidelines
✓Fasting Not Required
🕐Time-Sensitive
IGF-1 levels can vary throughout the day; morning samples are preferred for consistency.
Testing Frequency
Annually for adults or more frequently if monitoring growth hormone therapy.
Interfering Factors
- Recent intense exercise
- Acute illness
- Nutritional status
Related Peptides & Hormones
Growth Hormone
hormoneDirectly measures
Open Research Questions
Current research suggests that while serum IGF-1 is less influenced by inflammation compared to traditional nutritional markers, its concentration changes are not sufficiently specific for clinical use in diagnosing malnutrition. Researchers have not yet established definitive reference ranges or optimal targets for IGF-1 in various conditions, such as sarcopenia or androgenetic alopecia. Additionally, unanswered clinical questions include the precise role of IGF-1 in pubertal development and its interactions with factors like alcohol consumption.
22 Research Publications
939
Total Citations
10
Human/RCT
5.3
Avg. Influence
2025
Latest
Sort
Filter
01Top
#01
Nutritional Laboratory Markers in Malnutrition.
HumanInfluence28.0
616
This study examined the role of serum IGF-1 as a biomarker for malnutrition. Researchers found that while IGF-1 levels decrease during malnutrition, they are not specific enough to be clinically useful. The study suggests that IGF-1 could complement physical examinations in assessing nutritional status.
02Top
#02
GH and ageing: Pitfalls and new insights.
Review
61
Researchers reviewed the complex relationship between growth hormone, IGF-1, and aging. They found that while GH therapy may have marginal benefits for the elderly, it can also lead to side effects. The review suggests a biphasic relationship between IGF-1 levels and healthy aging.
03Top
#03
The AR/miR-221/IGF-1 pathway mediates the pathogenesis of androgenetic alopecia.
HumanInfluence1.0
47
Researchers found that the miR-221/IGF-1 pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of androgenetic alopecia. The study showed that miR-221 suppresses IGF-1 expression, which affects hair follicle function. This pathway may serve as a potential therapeutic target for treating hair loss.
04
#04
Genetic causes of isolated short stature.
UnknownInfluence2.0
38
This study explored genetic causes of isolated short stature, linking them to the growth hormone-IGF-1 axis. Researchers noted that many genetic defects affecting growth are related to the growth plate cartilage. The findings underscore the need for genetic studies in diagnosing short stature.
05
#05
Targeting FABP4 in elderly mice rejuvenates liver metabolism and ameliorates aging-associated metabolic disorders.
Lv Jian, et al. · Metabolism: clinical and experimental · 2023
AnimalInfluence1.0
36
Researchers identified FABP4 as a reliable biomarker of aging and metabolic disorders. The study found that silencing FABP4 in elderly mice rejuvenated metabolic activities and improved cholesterol and fatty acid degradation. This suggests FABP4 could be a target for enhancing healthy aging.
Key findings
- 01FABP4 was identified as a reliable aging biomarker in both humans and mice.
- 02Silencing FABP4 in elderly mice rejuvenated their metabolic activities and improved cholesterol and fatty acid breakdown.
- 03Using an FABP4 inhibitor provided metabolic benefits in older mice.
06
#06
Growth hormone deficiency and human immunodeficiency virus.
ReviewInfluence1.0
24
This review discussed the alterations in the growth hormone/IGF-1 axis in HIV-infected patients. Researchers found that many patients exhibit growth hormone deficiency, which may be influenced by HIV and its treatments. The review highlights the complexity of understanding the GH/IGF-1 axis in this population.
07
#07
Skeletal muscle-on-a-chip in microgravity as a platform for regeneration modeling and drug screening.
In Vitro
24
Researchers studied the effects of microgravity on muscle regeneration and the role of IGF-1 in this process. The study found that IGF-1 partially inhibited the negative effects of microgravity on muscle, highlighting its potential in regenerative medicine.
08
#08
Biomarker endpoints in cancer cachexia clinical trials: Systematic Review 5 of the cachexia endpoint series.
Meta-Analysis
22
This systematic review assessed the use of biomarkers in cancer cachexia trials. Researchers found that IGF-1 was among the biomarkers used to measure treatment effects, showing significant increases in trials linked to lean body mass. The study emphasizes the need for biomarkers to correlate with clinical benefits.
09
#09
Targeting the insulin growth factor pathway in gastrointestinal cancers.
Review
18
Researchers analyzed the potential of targeting the IGF-1 pathway in gastrointestinal cancers, noting both successes and challenges in clinical trials. The study emphasizes the importance of biomarkers in predicting treatment outcomes and guiding future research strategies.
10
#10
Growth Hormone as Biomarker in Heart Failure.
Review
17
This review focused on the GH/IGF-1 axis in chronic heart failure (CHF). Researchers found that impairments in this axis are associated with worse disease outcomes. The review suggests that GH replacement therapy may represent a future therapeutic option for improving CHF outcomes.
Publication Trend
Research publications about IGF-1 over time
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