Get tested with Superpower

If you’ve been postponing blood testing for years or feel frustrated by doctor appointments and limited lab panels, you are not alone. Standard healthcare is often reactive, focusing on testing only after symptoms appear or leaving patients in the dark.

Superpower flips that approach. We give you full insight into your body with over 100 biomarkers, personalized action plans, long-term tracking, and answers to your questions, so you can stay ahead of any health issues.

With physician-reviewed results, CLIA-certified labs, and the option for at-home blood draws, Superpower is designed for people who want clarity, convenience, and real accountability - all in one place.

Key benefits of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) testing

• Reveals whether your growth hormone system is working properly or out of balance.
• Flags pituitary gland disorders that cause excess or deficient growth hormone production.
• Explains unexplained symptoms like fatigue, muscle loss, or abnormal growth patterns.
• Guides treatment decisions for growth hormone therapy and monitors its effectiveness over time.
• Tracks age-related decline in growth hormone to clarify metabolic and body composition changes.
• Clarifies causes of delayed growth or short stature in children and adolescents.
• Best interpreted alongside symptoms, age, and sometimes a growth hormone stimulation test.

What is Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1)?

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is a hormone produced primarily by the liver in response to signals from growth hormone (GH), which is released by the pituitary gland in the brain. Small amounts are also made locally in tissues throughout the body. IGF-1 gets its name because its molecular structure resembles insulin, though its main job is promoting growth rather than regulating blood sugar.

IGF-1 drives growth from childhood through adolescence

IGF-1 is the body's principal growth promoter during childhood and adolescence. It stimulates the growth of bones, muscles, and organs by encouraging cells to multiply and mature. Beyond growth, IGF-1 helps maintain muscle mass, supports bone density, and influences how the body uses protein and fat for energy.

A window into growth hormone activity

Because IGF-1 levels are more stable throughout the day than growth hormone itself, measuring IGF-1 provides a reliable window into whether the growth hormone system is functioning properly. It reflects the integrated effect of growth hormone over time.

Why is Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) important?

IGF-1 is a hormone produced mainly by the liver in response to growth hormone signals from the pituitary gland. It orchestrates tissue growth, cellular repair, and metabolic balance throughout life. Reference ranges vary widely by age and sex, peaking during puberty and declining steadily into older adulthood.

Growth isn't just for kids

When IGF-1 runs low, the body struggles to build and maintain muscle, bone density weakens, and energy metabolism slows. Adults may notice fatigue, reduced exercise capacity, and slower recovery from injury. In children and adolescents, insufficient IGF-1 can delay growth and sexual maturation.

Too much of a growth signal

Elevated IGF-1 typically signals excess growth hormone, often from a pituitary tumor. This drives abnormal tissue enlargement in adults, causing thickened bones in the hands, feet, and face, along with joint pain and cardiovascular strain. In children, it can trigger excessive height before growth plates close. Chronically high levels also raise the risk of certain cancers by promoting unchecked cell division.

A window into lifelong vitality

IGF-1 connects growth hormone regulation to bone health, muscle function, glucose metabolism, and cardiovascular resilience. Tracking it helps identify growth disorders, pituitary disease, and metabolic imbalances early. Over time, balanced IGF-1 supports healthy aging, preserving strength and metabolic flexibility well into later life.

What do my Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) results mean?

Low IGF-1 levels

Low values usually reflect reduced growth hormone activity or impaired liver production of IGF-1. This can occur with growth hormone deficiency, malnutrition, chronic illness, liver disease, or poorly controlled diabetes. In children and adolescents, low IGF-1 may signal delayed growth or pituitary dysfunction. In adults, it can contribute to reduced muscle mass, bone density loss, fatigue, and changes in body composition. IGF-1 naturally declines with age, so interpretation depends heavily on age-specific reference ranges.

Optimal IGF-1 levels

Being in range suggests appropriate growth hormone signaling and healthy metabolic coordination between the pituitary, liver, and peripheral tissues. For most adults, optimal values tend to sit in the mid to upper portion of the age-adjusted reference range, reflecting balanced anabolic activity that supports tissue repair, bone health, and metabolic stability.

High IGF-1 levels

High values usually reflect excess growth hormone production, most commonly from a pituitary adenoma causing acromegaly in adults or gigantism in children. Elevated IGF-1 can also occur with pregnancy or certain medications. Chronically high levels may contribute to tissue overgrowth, joint changes, metabolic disturbances, and cardiovascular strain.

Factors that influence IGF-1 interpretation

IGF-1 must always be interpreted using age- and sex-specific reference ranges, as levels peak during puberty and decline steadily thereafter. Nutritional status, liver function, thyroid hormones, and insulin sensitivity all influence IGF-1 production and bioavailability.