INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR 1

[AJW303]

Hi! MY Insulin-like growth factor 1 came back at 252. The scale runs 87-238. The dr. thinks it could be a lab error so I went today to have it repeated. If it comes back like this again, what does it mean and what course of action will the dr. take. I am  a 54 year old female.

[rumpled]

Lovely. The doctor automatically assumes that any test that is out of range is an error?

It could mean acromegaly, but it could be before you are showing symptoms, which is great and so that you can be treated before you have changes. It can be treated with medications if that in case that is the issue.

I would go to an endocrinologist for a check up.

The doctor should also check growth hormone, as well as all the rest of your pituitary hormones and most if not all of the rest of your hormones.

[sophie303]

Thank you for your response. I am so sorry to hear about the death in your family.I have been there real recently and it is a very hard situation to deal with. It sure sounds like you have had some health issues. Wow!
One dr. diagnosed me with Adrenal fatigue and low thyroid. He put me on thyroid  med. and cortisol. I felt bad the whole time I was on it so I am not on it now. I went to an Endro. dr and  he ran some tests on me and told me that my ACTH was low but my adrenals were fine. My body has dropped DHEA and Pregnenolone so I am on supplements . I am tired all the time and sometimes nauseous. My blood pressure has dropped the last few months to about 90./45 and sometimes lower.
Did your insulin growth come back high? I certainly do not want a pituitary tumor but it would certainly explain my fatigue and other symptoms.
My gums are very swollen and I have been going to a specialist for help. Wouldn't this problem contribute to swollen gums?
Thanks for listening. Let me know your thoughts. I am 54 years old and I live in NC. bye!
Again, I am sorry for your loss.

[rumpled]

Thank you for the condolences.

I have low IGF-1. I get it tested all the time - in fact, one of the major labs kept goofing up the testing and kept me off the medication, which now I am back on and feel better taking.

Low ACTH is pointing to a pit issue - the thing is  you have low ACTH, high IGF-1 and some weird symptoms - all which points, well, to a pit tumor. The nausea, low BP, etc. points to a problem with your adrenals - that is not fatigue - that is Addison's disease. You need treatment or you can get super sick, perhaps die. I have no adrenals. I live it.

Swollen gums may be a sign that your jaws are growing - your dentist may clue you in - the dentist often picks up signs of acromegaly before anyone else.

[AJW303]

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
The Endro,. said my adrenal glands were okay but if they were why did my DHEA and prenenlone drop so very low? He said my cortisol was okay and I didn't need any cortisol supplements. So , now I am left with low ACTH and High IGF-1 and low thyroid. I think Addisons disease you  need cortisol, is that right?
My peridontalists is puzzled over my gums and I do have some over growth in some areas. (It sounds so gross) . He is always anxious to see all of my new blood work.

Write when you can.
Thanks!

[AJW303]

Hi sophie303 and AJW303 are the same people. I don't know why the screen name changed. Bye!

[rumpled]

Hmmm, my guess is that the endo does not know an adrenal from a jelly bean, but that is just supposition on my part.

ACTH is easily goofed in the lab - and he is not even coming up with that explanation. If the tech does not spin it right away or freeze it promptly, you have lower results. Renin is the same.

I am going with the dentist and urge you to find a neuro-endocrinologist and get help before your body has major changes. I am still thinking too that you have more than one issue - but the GH can impact other hormones so you have to figure out what is the major hormone that is off, fix it and then balance the rest.

You found an endummy... find someone who says ah - we have a test that explains why, not oh my gosh - lab error!