Ajax Harwood Clinic
IGF-1 growth hormone test
Full name: IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1)
This test is useful only in specific situations — it's not right for everyone who asks about it.
What this test is
IGF-1 is a blood test. It shows how much growth hormone your body makes. This test is useful when there is a specific concern, like too much or too little growth hormone. Signs include changes in the size of your hands, feet, or face, new sleep apnea, or slow growth in a child. In those cases, checking IGF-1 is a good, guideline-backed test. It is not a good test for everyday tiredness or general anti-aging worries. It will not explain or help treat those problems without the signs above. If tiredness is your main concern, other causes are a better place to start.
Want to see the full clinical reasoning? The reference we use for this test is open to anyone — it is detailed and written for clinicians, and you are welcome to read it.
Open the clinician reference →Looking for other tests, or more on a condition an ND raised? Explore ask.ajaxharwoodclinic.com →
General health information for Ajax Harwood Clinic patients and the public — not medical advice, and not a substitute for seeing your own doctor. Last reviewed 2026-09-23.