Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1)
A stable, all-day readout of growth hormone activity, used to flag both excess and deficiency.
Consider this test if:
- Symptoms of growth hormone excess such as enlarging hands, feet, or jaw, joint pain, or coarsening facial features
- Investigating fatigue, reduced muscle mass, or poor recovery alongside suspected pituitary dysfunction
- Monitoring growth hormone or IGF-1 replacement therapy to confirm the dose is working
- Following up on a pituitary disorder, nutritional insufficiency, or unexplained growth problem
- Setting a baseline before or during treatment for a known GH-related condition
- HSA/FSA eligible
- Typical results in 2-4 days · Reviewed by a real clinician
- Drawn at a CLIA/CAP-accredited lab near you ·
About this test
IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1) is the hormone through which growth hormone does most of its work, driving tissue growth and anabolic activity throughout the body. Because growth hormone is released in short pulses while IGF-1 stays steady across the day, IGF-1 is the practical screening marker for growth hormone disorders: high levels point toward acromegaly or a growth-hormone-secreting tumor, while low levels suggest growth hormone deficiency, malnutrition, or a catabolic state. It also tracks response to growth hormone or IGF-1 replacement therapy. Results are interpreted against age and sex, since IGF-1 peaks in adolescence and declines steadily with age, which is why an age-specific Z-score accompanies the raw value.
IGF-1 measures the growth factor itself; the related IGFBP-3 test measures its main carrier protein and is often paired with it when assessing growth hormone status, while IGF-2 is reserved for specific tumor-related questions.
Pre-test considerations
Fasting is not required, and because IGF-1 stays stable across the day, timing of the draw is not critical. Provide your age, since results are reported against age- and sex-specific ranges. Acute illness, poorly controlled diabetes, liver disease, and significant malnutrition can lower IGF-1 independent of growth hormone status.
Video consult with your Care Team
A 1:1 call to discuss your health.
Biomarkers tested
Includes 1 biomarker
IGF-1 is the messenger growth hormone sends out to do its work, built mainly in the liver and responsible for building muscle, repairing tissue, and supporting bone density. Because it stays stable in the blood while growth hormone itself spikes and vanishes within minutes, IGF-1 is the reliable proxy for your growth hormone status, useful for tracking recovery, muscle retention, and training response over time. Low levels show up as poor recovery, muscle loss, fatigue, or weak bone density, while high levels warrant a closer look at pituitary function.
- Specimen
- Serum or plasma
- Measures
- Mass concentration
What to expect
- 1 Book instantly
Click, book, done. Choose a convenient lab location near you. Transparent, up-front pricing.
- 2 Quick lab visit
Testing to fit your busy schedule, usually 15 minutes or less. Walk-in and appointments available.
- 3 Typical results in 2-4 days
Your results post straight to your dashboard as soon as the lab completes them.
- 4 Expert guidance
Included with Mito membership. A clinician reviews your results and your personalized action plan follows, with clear next steps.
Everything your health needs,
in one membership
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Every test at our cost
Members pay our cost on every test, with lab fees passed straight through. The full receipt is itemized, never padded.
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Continuous tracking, all in one place
Upload past labs and watch your trends over time. Every marker and visit lives in one longitudinal record, so all your care stays together.
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Year-round clinician support
Text anytime and get clinician-reviewed answers. When you want to go deeper, 1:1 consultations are available at affordable rates.
All for $9/month
Order any test or consult without joining. For $9/month, members unlock member prices, trend tracking, and year-round clinician guidance.
Mito Membership
$9 /mo
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Without membership
$0
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Frequently asked questions
View all FAQsHow does pricing work?
Every test shows the member price next to the standard non-member price, so you can see what membership saves you. The member price is our cost — covering the lab and what it takes to run the service — never a profit on the test itself; Mito makes its money on the $9 membership, not on marking up your tests. Membership is $9/mo, and you still pay the lab’s order fee. Prices are itemized before you pay, with no hidden fees.
Where do I get tested?
Choose a partner lab (Quest, Labcorp, or BioReference) at checkout. If your cart spans multiple tests, we consolidate the whole order onto a single lab so you only make one visit.
Is this eligible for HSA/FSA?
Yes. This test is HSA/FSA eligible, and you can pay with your HSA/FSA card at checkout.
When will I get my results?
Your results post to your dashboard once your lab completes them, then a clinician reviews them and your full analysis and personalized action plan (with clear next steps) follow. Turnaround varies by test: specialty assays and at-home kits take longer, and each test shows its expected turnaround before you buy.
Do I need a doctor’s order?
No. Mito provides the lab order for you, so you can book and get tested without a separate doctor visit.
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