IGF-1 Blood Test (Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1)
IGF-1 is a hormone that is mostly produced by the liver and plays roles in not only growth but also in overall health and biohacking. This IGF-1 blood test can help you establish your baseline and can be used to monitor your IGF-1 progress. The traditional use of the IGF-1 test can be helpful to determine why a child may not be growing or developing. However, IGF-1 plays a critical role in aging, heart health, obesity, brain function, and more. Lower IGF-I levels can hamper the body’s ability to heal itself and therefore affect the quality of life and a lower lifespan.
How can I increase my IGF-I levels?
Increasing IGF-1 levels is possible and you may need to work with a healthcare practitioner to implement fully. That said, here are some general ways to increase IGF-1 blood levels:
- Diet– Increase proteins, and decrease simple sugars. Also decreasing inflammatory foods by using the MRT food sensitivity test.
- Exercise– When you exercise, your body is slightly damaged. This tells your brain to release growth hormone that tells your liver to release IGF-1.
- Sleep– Your body goes into repair mode while you sleep. Getting enough of high-quality sleep can boost your IGF-1 levels.
- Hormone therapy– There are certain types of hormone therapies that can increase IGF-1 blood levels.
The key is to know your IGF-1 blood level baseline. From there you can take action and use this blood test to monitor your progress. What’s Being Tested:
- IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1)
Testosterone Test | Total
This test can be used to screen for low or high levels of testosterone (low T/high T). We recommend you pair this test with free (unbound) testosterone. What’s Being Tested:
- Testosterone (total)
Fasting: No Specimen Type: Blood (Draw Location | How It Works | FAQs) Turnaround time: 5-7 Business Days Important Notes:
- This test cannot be collected in NY, NJ, MA, and RI. Contact us with questions.
Medical Review Board
Reviewed by Jeff Donohue M.D. from Body Logic and Brady Hurst DC, CCCN. Written by True Health Lab’s team of editorial health contributors.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.