Growth Hormone Test

Growth Hormones and IGF-1 References:

1. Skjaerbaek C, Vahl N, et. al.. Serum Free Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 in growth hormone-defcient Adults before and After Growth Hormone Replacement. Euro J Endocrinology (1997) 137: 132-137.

Free IGF-1 are decreased in GHD, but measurements of free IGF-1 in a single, fasting serum sample do not offer a better separation of patients with GHD from individuals with normal GH status than can be achieved by measurement of total IGF-1.

2. Rosen, CJ. Growth Hormone and Aging. Endocrine (2000) 12 (2): 197-201. Growth Hormone and Aging. Endocrine (Apr 2000) 12 (2): 197-201.

Defines other causes of IGF-1 deficiency, e.g., malnutrition (receptors are down regulated despite elevated GH levels), insulin deficiency, acute catabolic stress (acute trauma, infection, surgery, etc.), and exogenous glucocorticoid and estrogens. Also, cautions against treating somatopause because of perceived risk of neoplasia.

3. Cano A, Castelo-Branco C, Tarin JJ. Effect of Menopause and Different Combined Estradiol-progestin Regiments on Basal and Growth Hormone, Insulin-like Growth Factor-1, Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein (IGFBP)-1, andIGFBP-3 Levels. Fertil Steril (Feb 1999) 71: 261-7.

The administration of oral, but not transdermal, E2 at the usual clinical doses used in postmenopausal women decreased IGF-1 levels and the response of GH to GHRH in older women. No substantial changes were detected in IGFBP-1, IGFBP-3, insulin, or C peptide levels.

4. Marcus R. Recombinant human growth hormone as potential therapy for osteoporosis. Bailliere’s Clinical Endoreinology and Metabolism (July 1998) 12 (2): 251-259

Review article with the conclusion: GH enhances lumbar bone density and appears to maintain femoral density. Author suggests that IGF-1 therapy may be more effective therapy than GH. Studies reported were too short to draw that conclusion (see reference 17).

5. Abs R, Bengtssont B, et al. GH Replacement in 1034 growth hormone deficient hypopituitary adults: demographic and clinical characteristics, dosing and safety. Clinical Endo (1999) 50: 703-713

Study basically shows safety of GH in AGHD without increase in tumor recurrence or diabetes in patients treated for more the 800 patient years. Also, IGF-1 was used and shown to be the method of choice for titration of rhGH therapy.

6. Clemmons D R. Commercial Assays Available for Insulin-Like Growth factor-1 and Their Use in Diagnosing Growth Hormone Deficiency. Horm Res (2001) 55 (suppl 2): 73-79.

Study employs the immunoradiometric (IRMA) sandwich assay with antibodies specific to IGF-1. These assays are found to be quick and accurate, and produce a high degree of specificity. The addition of acid-ethanol extraction or saturation with IGF-II improves reliability. “Despite the problems, IGF-1 measurement is currently the best indirect method available for screening and monitoring patients with GHD

7. Diamandi A, Khosravi MJ, et al. Filter Paper Blood Spot Assay of Human Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-I) and IGF-Binding Protein-3 and Preliminary Application in the Evaluation of Growth Hormone Status. J Clin Endocrinol Metab (1998) 83: 2296-2301

Authors developed blood spot assays for IGF-1 and IGFBP- 3 and compared them to conventional methodologies. They found that dried blood spot showed a greater than 1 month stability at –20C, 4C and RT and retained more than 65% of the immunoreactivity after approximately 1 month at 37C. “We conclude that blood collected on filter paper is ideal for IGF-I and IGFBP-3 analysis and may find applications in pediatric and large scale infant screening programs.”

Background Info - Test Interpretation - Health Care Resources 

Test Instructions - Buy Now Only $75

E-mail the Webmaster with questions or comments about this web site.        © 2007    - Helpful Links

NOTE: California Residents - Business and Professions Code 1246.5 Requires That Any Test that has not been approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration for sale to the public without a prescription as an Over-The-Counter Test kit must be ordered by a Licensed physician acting on a patient's behalf.  All orders for test kits within the state of California

NOTE: New York State Residents New York State health law prohibits the testing of certain specimens collected in or mailed from New York, and prohibits the transmission of data from our laboratory to NY physicians or residents. Therefore, direct receipt of lab results for NY residents is not possible.

International Residents & Orders:  Extra shipping charges may be added for international orders.  Patients will be contacted by e-mail or telephone to approve charges.