At what time of day should serum Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) be measured?

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From the Research

Serum Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) Measurement Timing

  • There is no specific time of day recommended for measuring serum IGF-1 levels, as it does not follow a circadian rhythm 1.
  • Serum IGF-1 levels can be measured at any time of day, making it a convenient test for evaluating growth hormone status 1.
  • Some studies have collected blood samples for IGF-1 measurement at specific times, such as 08:00 am 2 or during morning hours 3, but this is not necessarily a requirement.

Factors Influencing Serum IGF-1 Levels

  • Age is a significant factor, with IGF-1 levels decreasing with age 3.
  • Gender also plays a role, with females having higher IGF-1 levels than males 3.
  • Body height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) are also correlated with IGF-1 levels 3.

Clinical Applications of Serum IGF-1 Measurement

  • Serum IGF-1 levels are useful for diagnosing and monitoring growth hormone deficiency and acromegaly 1, 4, 5.
  • IGF-1 levels can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment for circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders 2.
  • Reference values for IGF-1 levels can be used to distinguish between different conditions, such as idiopathic short stature and growth hormone deficiency 5.

References

2
Research

Serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1 as a biomarker of improved circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder in school-aged children.

Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2020

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This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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