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Somatomedin-C, or insulin-like factor (aka IGF-1, IGF-1, or IGF-1), is a polypeptide that is designed to perform the work of the endocrine mediator of somatotropic hormone, that is, it is he who is responsible for the effects of growth hormone – growth hormone. They have a directly proportional relationship, that is, with an increase in the concentration of one, the second automatically increases.
The exchange of Somatomedin-S falls on one of the most important organs of the human body – the liver. A smaller part of the hormones is synthesized in the muscles of the skeleton.
According to biological indicators and characteristics, this mediator is very similar to insulin, therefore it is called insulin-like factor-1. To date, medicine has clearly identified the presence of six insulin-like factors.
The main purpose of this mediator is to increase the supply of glucose and vital amino acids, which are necessary for muscle and fat cells.
Insulin-like factors affect the growth of the body in the same way as somatotropic hormones, that is, they stimulate bone growth. Already at birth, this hormone is present in the body, and every year its concentration increases. Levels peak at puberty, especially in girls. After puberty and up to 42 years, normal indicators are constant, and then the concentration begins to slowly decrease.
What is the essence of a blood test for Somatomedin-C?
This analysis is the main one for patients who have suspicions of disorders in the production of somatotropic hormone. After all, the metabolism of insulin-like factors, in particular Somatomedin-C and somatotropic hormone, is closely interconnected. If the first indicator is within the normal range, then the second one will not increase accordingly. But if the concentration of the insulin-like factor decreases, then this means that insufficient production of growth hormone occurs in the body. At the same time, its digital indicators may be at the lower limits of the normal state or be slightly reduced.
Based on the results of this analysis, a qualified specialist can immediately notice any metabolic disorders.
If a child has a significant growth retardation or experts have diagnosed a low concentration of insulin-like factor, then he should be under the constant supervision of a doctor, and also regularly take an appropriate blood test.
Doctors often prescribe such tests to evaluate the effectiveness of therapy for both acromegaly and dwarfism (dwarfism, short stature), including with the help of synthetic somatotropin.
When is a blood test for Somatomedin-C prescribed?
There are few indications for this analysis. Donate blood to determine the concentration of Somatomedin-C is asked in such cases:
- slow or vice versa accelerated growth;
- monitoring the effectiveness of therapy with somatotropic hormones;
- assessment of the nature of the patient’s nutrition;
- preparing for major surgery.
Determination of the level of Somatomedin-C in the blood serum is indispensable in the examination of patients with severe acromegaly, who have a relatively low basal level of growth hormone. Also, an analysis for ICE-1 is necessary if, with suspected acromegaly, a decrease in the level of growth hormone is found in the glucose load test. In children with growth retardation for the diagnosis of dwarfism, the use of an analysis for Somatomedin-C makes it possible to exclude such a kind of pathology in which, against the background of normal synthesis of somatotropic hormone, the synthesis of Somatomedin is impaired.
How to prepare for a blood test for Somatomedin-C?
Remember that this analysis cannot be taken by patients who during this period suffer from serious viral or infectious diseases, especially during their exacerbation. Otherwise, the results may be false, and the doctor will make an incorrect diagnosis, prescribe the wrong medications, or not identify serious disorders in the body at all.
The patient should donate blood in the morning, on an empty stomach. Before the analysis, it is allowed to drink only water, it is strictly forbidden to drink tea, coffee or milk. It is very important that at least 8 hours elapse between the last meal and the medical event.
On the day of the test, when the patient comes to the hospital, he is asked to sit for about half an hour. This is done in order to relieve a person of mental and physical stress.
Then he is invited to the office and blood is taken from a vein for an appropriate analysis.
Deciphering the results
For each year of life, there are certain norms for Somatomedin-S indicators.
The amount of ICE-1 in young children is limited and gradually increases with age. The peak is reached during puberty, and then gradually decreases.
If this insulin-like factor is increased in a patient, then we can assume: pathological processes caused by dysfunctions of the anterior pituitary gland; chronic renal failure. Also, the insulin-like factor may increase as a result of taking certain medications, namely androgens (steroid hormones), dexamethasone (synthetic glucosteroids), beta-blockers and alpha-agonists. In children, an increased concentration may indicate gigantism.
A reduced level of Somatomedin-C can be caused by: dysfunction or tumor of the pituitary gland; reduced thyroid function; constant lack of sleep; a serious eating disorder (anorexia nervosa); starvation; cirrhosis of the liver; taking certain medications, including high doses of estrogen. In children, a reduced rate may indicate dwarfism.
Remember that before taking the test, you must follow some rules, otherwise the level of the insulin-like factor may involuntarily increase or decrease.
So, Somatomedin-C can increase as a result of excessive consumption of protein products, exercise, stressful situations, the use of dairy products, and parenteral nutrition.
The decrease is due to excess weight, taking certain medications. Also, Somatomedin-C decreases in women during the period of bearing a child, by almost 35 percent.
To maintain the proper functioning of the body and exclude various failures, it is necessary to periodically undergo an examination by various specialists. A blood test is no exception, because it is precisely by its result that a serious pathological process can be diagnosed in a timely manner. Therefore, you need to regularly take a comprehensive blood test once a year.