IGF

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

IGF or Insulin-like growth factor is a hormone that has a similar molecular structure to insulin. It plays an important role in childhood growth and continues to have anabolic effects in adults. There are two types of IGF: IGF-1 and IGF-2.

Function[edit | edit source]

IGF is produced by the liver as an endocrine hormone as well as by target tissues in a paracrine/autocrine fashion. Production is stimulated by growth hormone (GH) and can be retarded by undernutrition, hypothyroidism or declines in GH or insulin levels.

IGF-1 is primarily responsible for the long bone growth in children and it also affects muscle growth and repair of adults. IGF-2 is a major fetal growth factor in contrast to IGF-1 which is both a fetal and postnatal growth factor.

Role in disease[edit | edit source]

IGF-1 has been reported to be high in people with acromegaly due to an excess of growth hormone. In contrast, low levels of IGF-1 are seen in growth hormone deficiency. It has also been reported that people with cancer, particularly men with prostate cancer, have elevated levels of IGF-1.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

IGF-1 may be measured in the blood in order to determine the production of GH, as GH secretion cannot be measured directly because it is released in pulses. IGF-1 may also be used in the treatment of short stature and in growth hormone therapy.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


IGF Resources
Wikipedia
WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD