Peptide Therapy Although physicians prescribe IGF-1 to patients, peptides such as CJC-1295 Ipamorelin and MK677 (Ibutamoren) are often prescribed to provide a more effective treatment. Peptide therapy uses amino acid chains to communicate with the body to produce or release growth hormones.
Full Answer
What is the best way to treat IGF-1?
Although physicians prescribe IGF-1 to patients, peptides such as CJC-1295 Ipamorelin and MK677 (Ibutamoren) are often prescribed to provide a more effective treatment. Peptide therapy uses amino acid chains to communicate with the body to produce or release growth hormones.
What is IGF-1 and is it safe?
IGF-1 is a substance that has become very common within the bodybuilding community. The chemical can provide incredible gains in a short amount of time and according to our current knowledge, it is relatively safe for the human body. Like similar chemicals, IGF-1 is a substance that can have a major impact on muscle mass.
How often should you take IGF-1 injections?
In men, it is advised not to exceed 40-50mcg of the IGF-1 injection. For women, it shouldn’t be above 20mc, and it can be administered twice daily. Since it has a long half-life, it shouldn’t be injected above two times, especially if you use the IGF-1 LR3. On workout days, the injection should be administered pre and post-workout.
What are the benefits of IGF-1 for older adults?
IGF-1 can also help decrease age-related muscle wasting (also called sarcopenia or muscle atrophy) by preserving lean muscle mass. 2. Helps Prevent Cognitive Decline in Older Adults Higher circulating concentrations of IGF-1 in older adults may help prevent neuronal loss and age-related decline in cognitive functions.
How do you treat high IGF-1 levels?
The oral medications cabergoline and bromocriptine (Parlodel) may help lower levels of GH and IGF-1 in some people. These drugs may also help decrease tumor size. To treat acromegaly, these medications usually need to be taken at high doses, which can increase the risk of side effects.
How is IGF-1 treated?
Treatment. IGFD can be treated with an FDA-approved therapy: IGF-1 replacement. Like GH, it is given as a subcutaneous injection. Unlike GH, it is given twice daily and with meals to prevent mild associated hypoglycemia or low blood glucose levels.
How can I lower my IGF-1 levels?
Insulin-sensitizing low-intensity aerobic exercise is thus considered to be an effective method for downregulating IGF-I and upregulating IGFBP-1 levels.
What does it mean if IGF-1 level is high?
Higher than normal levels of IGF-1 may mean gigantism in children or acromegaly in adults. Gigantism and acromegaly are most often caused by a tumor in the pituitary gland, a small organ in the base of the brain that controls many functions, including growth.
What is a normal IGF-1 level?
Results of IGF-1 are given in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). Normal ranges by age are: 182 to 780 ng/mL for ages 16 to 24. 114 to 492 ng/mL for ages 25 to 39.
Can IGF-1 cause diabetes?
Studies showed that low and high IGF-I levels are related to impaired glucose tolerance and to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
Does IGF-1 cause weight gain?
Changes in Weight During IGF-1 Therapy The weight gain that you will experience from the use of IGF-1 is not due to water weight. All your weight gain will be caused by actual muscle growth, which is a long-term effect.
What are the effects of too much growth hormone?
When you have too much growth hormone, your bones increase in size. In childhood, this leads to increased height and is called gigantism. But in adulthood, a change in height doesn't occur. Instead, the increase in bone size is limited to the bones of your hands, feet and face, and is called acromegaly.
Does exercise lower IGF-1?
Cumulative studies argue the effects of exercise intervention associated with plasma levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP3. It has been known that exercise increase IGF-1 secretion [11,12] with inconsistent results with relevant studies [13,14].
How do you confirm acromegaly?
Doctors most often diagnose acromegaly by ordering two blood tests that help determine if your body is making too much GH.IGF test. Levels of GH in the blood can change throughout the day. ... Oral glucose tolerance test. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor will order an oral glucose tolerance test.
How to decrease IGF-1?
Excessive amounts of insulin will likely decrease the amount of IGF-1 your body produces. Neglecting to exercise. Depriving yourself of sleep. Excessive estrogen, which can occur as a result of eating too many phytoestrogen-rich foods like soy, can decrease levels of IGF-1.
When should IGF-1 be highest?
IGF-1 levels should be highest during puberty and adolescence, with lower levels required during adulthood.
Why is IGF used?
IGF has been used to help people reverse or inhibit the effects of aging, such as wrinkles and fatigue, ...
What are the side effects of IGF-1?
IGF-1 Side Effects and Dangers 1 Cancer. The fact that IGF-1 can contribute to cancer should be a turn-off, especially when the link is clear. Scientists are unsure as to how exactly IGF-1 increases the risk of developing cancer, but IGF-1 promotes growth of cells – and it doesn’t seem to be exclusive in which cells it helps grow. It can speed up the growth of even unhealthy, cancerous cells.In fact, adults with lower levels of the hormone are believed to be less likely to develop cancer. For these reasons, it’s generally believed to be unsafe to use IGF-1 without the strict supervision of a doctor. 2 Decreased longevity. While some people may use IGF-1 hoping to reverse signs of aging, some evidence shows that it can actually decrease lifespan. While lower levels of the hormone have been linked to an increase in lifespan (at least in some animal studies), increasing levels of IGF-1 can actually decrease lifespan – by as much as half!
What is IGF-1 in the body?
What is IGF-1? IGF-1, which is properly better known as insulin-like growth factor 1, is a unique hormone that’s found in the human body. As a growth factor, IGF-1 is an important aspect of hormones that are involved in the growth of things like cells and the tissues that these cells comprise of.
What foods help with IGF-1?
This will help manage your insulin sensitivity and thus your IGF-1 levels will be more balanced. High levels of protein and dairy are believed to be some of the best IGF-1 foods. Eating lots of cheese, eggs, and other protein-rich foods can help.
Why is IGF-1 important?
IGF-1 helps the body activate a number of processes that also encourage other growth factor hormones to flourish. IGF-1 also helps to prevent the natural loss of muscle with aging – using it for this purpose is likely safer than using it in an effort to stack on the pounds. Prevents mental health decline.
Optimal IGF-1 Levels
In active adults, the levels of IGF-1 should always be below or at the 175ml mark. In adults who do not do a lot of physical activity, the levels should be at 150ml. These figures or reference values come in handy if you have to receive a supplement of IGF-1.
IGF-1 Uses
Some of the reasons why Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 is a big deal, or its advantages include:
Side Effects of IGF-1
While on growth hormone therapy, your doctor will have to monitor certain parameters from time to time, such as; cholesterol levels, blood glucose levels, and bone density, to always make sure they are always healthy.
IGF-1 Dosage
In men, it is advised not to exceed 40-50mcg of the IGF-1 injection. For women, it shouldn’t be above 20mc, and it can be administered twice daily. Since it has a long half-life, it shouldn’t be injected above two times, especially if you use the IGF-1 LR3.
How to Buy IGF-1
Apart from the natural Insulin-like Growth Factor produced in the liver, synthesized IGF-1 made in huge amounts from E. coli and yeast by recombinant technology can also work just fine. IGF-1 can be found at your local pharmacy and can only be purchased using a prescription from your doctor.
Getting Your Blood Tested Before Treatment
Before treatment, getting a blood test is highly recommended for the patient to receive the safest and most effective treatment plan. You will find a check of IGF-1 levels in a full male hormone panel managed by a qualified EVOLVE physician and hormone therapy expert.
Conclusion
Like every other drug or medication, IGF-1 should be taken under strict advice from your physician. Abusing the medication, especially by overdosing, causes a few debilitating side effects. This hormone has so many important functions in the body, and its importance can’t be over-emphasized.
What is an IGF-1 test?
This test measures the amount of IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1) in your blood. IGF-1 is a hormone that manages the effects of growth hormone (GH) in your body. Together, IGF-1 and GH promote normal growth of bones and tissues. GH levels in the blood fluctuate throughout the day depending on your diet and activity levels.
What is it used for?
An IGF-1 test is used to diagnose growth hormone disorders, including:
Why do I need an IGF-1 test?
Your provider may order an IGF-1 test if you or your child has symptoms of a GH disorder.
What happens during an IGF-1 test?
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
Are there any risks to this test?
There is very little risk to you or your child in having a blood test. There may be slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
What do the results mean?
If your child's results show lower than normal levels of IGF-1, it probably means he or she has a GH deficiency or insensitivity to GH. In a child, this may be caused by a genetic disorder or brain disease. Your child may benefit from treatment with GH supplementation.
Is there anything else I need to know about an IGF-1 test?
Your provider may order other blood tests to help diagnose a GH disorder. These include:
What Is IGF-1?
Benefits
- What does IGF-1 do to the body? Here are some of the positive things that it does for us (more on these below): 1. Helps build muscle mass and increase strength 2. Helps prevent muscle wasting 3. May enhance physical performance, supportmuscle recoveryand help with healing from injuries 4. Can help with regulation of levelsof body fat (adipose tissue) 5. Builds strength in response t…
How to Balance Levels
- In general, in order to maintain optimal health you want to have a normal/moderate levelof IGF-1 — not too much or too little. Some studies suggest that having what’s considered a very low level or very high level of IGF-1 may increase your risk for death (aka your mortality risk). So what is considered a normal level of IGF 1? It depends on your age and gender. Males have higher level…
Supplements and Dosage
- Some people choose to supplement with IGF-1 to promote muscle growth. However, most experts believe that it’s generally not safe to supplement with IGF-1 based on available research at this time. Supplementation should only be done under very specific circumstances and when you’re being monitored closely by a doctor. Research reviewed by the U.S. A...
Risks and Side Effects
- While IGF-1 does have some important roles, on the other hand it has some negative effects when levels rise too high. For example, it may promote cancer development and lead to decreased life span (according to animal studies). For some people, when they hear the word IGF-1, the first thing that comes to mind is performance-enhancing drugs. It’s important to point out that supple…