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IGF-1 Testing & Therapy in Los Angeles
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is an important hormone influenced by growth hormone, age, nutrition and health status. An IGF-1 result is most useful when interpreted in the right clinical context—not as a stand-alone anti-aging target.
Book an AppointmentDavid Nazarian, M.D. • Board Certified in Internal Medicine
What Is IGF-1?
Growth-Hormone Signaling
Growth hormone stimulates production of IGF-1, primarily in the liver. IGF-1 helps mediate many growth-hormone effects and is more stable in the bloodstream than growth hormone itself.
Why It Is Measured
IGF-1 can be useful when evaluating suspected growth-hormone disorders because growth hormone secretion is pulsatile and a random GH level can be misleading.
Low or High IGF-1 Does Not Diagnose a Condition by Itself
Age Matters
IGF-1 normally changes with age, so results need age-adjusted reference ranges.
Health & Nutrition Matter
Liver disease, kidney disease, malnutrition, diabetes and other medical conditions can influence IGF-1 levels.
Confirmation May Be Needed
When a true growth-hormone disorder is suspected, endocrine evaluation may require additional laboratory testing or stimulation/suppression testing rather than one isolated result.
What About IGF-1 Therapy?
Approved Medical Use
Mecasermin is recombinant human IGF-1 with an FDA-approved indication for certain children with severe primary IGF-1 deficiency or specific growth-hormone gene-related circumstances.
Not a Routine Anti-Aging Drug
Approved IGF-1 therapy should not be confused with products marketed to healthy adults for bodybuilding, rejuvenation or general anti-aging. Those goals are outside the approved indication.
Why unnecessary IGF-1 exposure can be risky
IGF-1 affects glucose metabolism and tissue growth. Treatment decisions require a defined diagnosis, appropriate dosing and monitoring rather than trying to push an IGF-1 value higher for wellness purposes.
When We Consider IGF-1 Testing
Testing may be appropriate when symptoms, history or other findings raise concern for a growth-hormone disorder or when an endocrinologic evaluation requires it. Fatigue, poor recovery or reduced muscle mass alone are not specific for growth-hormone deficiency and often have more common explanations.
Hormone testing · CJC-1295 & ipamorelin · Muscle-growth peptides · Peptide therapy overview
IGF-1 FAQ
Is IGF-1 the same as growth hormone?
No. Growth hormone stimulates IGF-1 production, but they are different hormones with different testing characteristics and roles.
Can one IGF-1 test diagnose growth-hormone deficiency?
No. IGF-1 is one piece of the evaluation. Diagnosis depends on clinical context and may require additional endocrine testing.
Is IGF-1 therapy FDA-approved?
Mecasermin is FDA-approved for specific pediatric conditions involving severe primary IGF-1 deficiency. That is different from using IGF-1 for healthy-adult anti-aging or bodybuilding goals.
Should adults try to maximize IGF-1?
No. A higher IGF-1 level is not automatically healthier. Results should be interpreted against age-adjusted ranges and the patient’s clinical situation.
Schedule an IGF-1 and Hormone Evaluation
If you have an abnormal IGF-1 result or symptoms raising concern for an endocrine disorder, we can review the result in context and determine whether additional evaluation is appropriate.
Book an Appointment
