Test Code LAB526 Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1, Mass Spectrometry, Serum
Test Down Notes
Due to assay issues, IGFMS is placed test down. Please order FIGF1 for alternative testing.
Useful For
Evaluation of growth disorders
Evaluation of growth hormone deficiency or excess in children and adults
Monitoring of recombinant human growth hormone treatment
Follow-up of individuals with acromegaly and gigantism
Method Name
Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS)
Reporting Name
IGF-1, LC/MS, SSpecimen Type
SerumNecessary Information
Indicate patient's age and sex.
Specimen Required
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Red top
Acceptable: Serum gel
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.3 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
---|---|---|
Serum | Frozen (preferred) | 28 days |
Ambient | 72 hours | |
Refrigerated | 72 hours |
Reject Due To
Gross hemolysis | Reject |
Gross lipemia | OK |
Gross icterus | OK |
Reference Values
Males:
0-11 months: 18-156 ng/mL
1 year: 14-203 ng/mL
2 years: 16-222 ng/mL
3 years: 22-229 ng/mL
4 years: 30-236 ng/mL
5 years: 39-250 ng/mL
6 years: 47-275 ng/mL
7 years: 54-312 ng/mL
8 years: 61-356 ng/mL
9 years: 67-405 ng/mL
10 years: 73-456 ng/mL
11 years: 79-506 ng/mL
12 years: 84-551 ng/mL
13 years: 90-589 ng/mL
14 years: 95-618 ng/mL
15 years: 99-633 ng/mL
16 years: 104-633 ng/mL
17 years: 107-615 ng/mL
18-22 years: 91-442 ng/mL
23-25 years: 66-346 ng/mL
26-30 years: 60-329 ng/mL
31-35 years: 54-310 ng/mL
36-40 years: 48-292 ng/mL
41-45 years: 44-275 ng/mL
46-50 years: 40-259 ng/mL
51-55 years: 37-245 ng/mL
56-60 years: 34-232 ng/mL
61-65 years: 33-220 ng/mL
66-70 years: 32-209 ng/mL
71-75 years: 32-200 ng/mL
76-80 years: 33-192 ng/mL
81-85 years: 33-185 ng/mL
86-90 years: 33-179 ng/mL
≥91 years: 32-173 ng/mL
Females:
0-11 months: 14-192 ng/mL
1 year: 23-243 ng/mL
2 years: 28-256 ng/mL
3 years: 31-249 ng/mL
4 years: 33-237 ng/mL
5 years: 36-234 ng/mL
6 years: 39-246 ng/mL
7 years: 44-279 ng/mL
8 years: 51-334 ng/mL
9 years: 61-408 ng/mL
10 years: 73-495 ng/mL
11 years: 88-585 ng/mL
12 years: 104-665 ng/mL
13 years: 120-719 ng/mL
14 years: 136-729 ng/mL
15 years: 147-691 ng/mL
16 years: 153-611 ng/mL
17 years: 149-509 ng/mL
18-22 years: 85-370 ng/mL
23-25 years: 73-320 ng/mL
26-30 years: 66-303 ng/mL
31-35 years: 59-279 ng/mL
36-40 years: 54-258 ng/mL
41-45 years: 49-240 ng/mL
46-50 years: 44-227 ng/mL
51-55 years: 40-217 ng/mL
56-60 years: 37-208 ng/mL
61-65 years: 35-201 ng/mL
66-70 years: 34-194 ng/mL
71-75 years: 34-187 ng/mL
76-80 years: 34-182 ng/mL
81-85 years: 34-177 ng/mL
86-90 years: 33-175 ng/mL
≥91 years: 25-179 ng/mL
Tanner Stage reference ranges:
Males
Stage I: 81-255 ng/mL
Stage II: 106-432 ng/mL
Stage III: 245-511 ng/mL
Stage IV: 223-578 ng/mL
Stage V: 227-518 ng/mL
Females
Stage I: 86-323 ng/mL
Stage II: 118-451 ng/mL
Stage III: 258-529 ng/mL
Stage IV: 224-586 ng/mL
Stage V: 188-512 ng/mL
Tanner Stage reference source: Bindlingmaier M, Friedrich N, Emeny RT,et al. Reference intervals for insulin-like growth factor-1 (igf-i) from birth to senescence: results from a multicenter study using a new automated chemiluminescence IGF-I immunoassay conforming to recent international recommendations. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014;99(5):1712-1721
Note: Puberty onset (transition from Tanner stage I to Tanner stage II) occurs for boys at a median age of 11.5 (±2) years and for girls at a median age of 10.5 (±2) years. There is evidence that it may occur up to 1 year earlier in obese girls and in African American girls. For boys, there is no definite proven relationship between puberty onset and body weight or ethnic origin. Progression through Tanner stages is variable. Tanner stage V (young adult) should be reached by age 18.
Cautions
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) reference values are highly age dependent, and results must always be interpreted within the context of the patient's age.
During normal pregnancy, serum IGF1 increases, on average, almost 2-fold (range approximately 1.1-fold to approximately 4-fold) over prepregnancy baseline concentrations; however, reference values for this population have not been formally established at our institution.
Discrepant IGF1 and IGFBP3 results can sometimes occur due to liver and kidney disease; however, this is uncommon. Such results should alert laboratories and physicians to the possible occurrence of a preanalytical or analytical error.
Currently, IGF1 or IGFBP3cannot be reliably used as risk indicators or prognostic markers in breast, colon, prostate, or lung cancer.
IGF1 assays exhibit significant variability among platforms and manufacturers. Direct comparison of results obtained by different assays is problematic. If IGF1 and IGFBP3 are being used for serial monitoring, reestablishment of the patient's baseline levels is preferred if assays are changed.
Several amino-acid benign alterations within IGF1 have been discovered. At least 4 of these are known to result in IGF1 isoforms with diminished biological activity. IGF1 immunoassays vary in their ability to detect these reduced-function variants. Detection of the variant proteins may result in an overestimation of functionally active IGF1 in an affected patient. By contrast, mass spectrometry (MS)-based IGF1 assay can usually selectively detect the active IGF1 isoforms. However, there might be as yet unknown functionally different variants of IGF1, which even MS cannot distinguish from wildtype (normal) IGF1.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Results reported: Monday through Friday
Report Available
3 to 6 daysPerforming Laboratory

Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
84305
LOINC Code Information
Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
IGFMS | IGF-1, LC/MS, S | 2484-4 |
Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
62750 | IGF-1, LC/MS, S | 2484-4 |
35781 | Z-score | 73561-3 |