J Med Assoc Thai 2008; 91 (11):1681

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Normal Reference Range of Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF)-I in Healthy Thai Adults
Plengpanich W Mail, Mangkala J , Buranasukajorn P , Boonruang K , Sunthornyothin S , Suwanwalaikorn S , Khovidhunkit W , Sridama V , Snabboon T

Background: Serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I level is growth hormone (GH) dependent and reflects
GH secretion. Analysis of IGF-I is a component in the diagnosis of GH-related disorders and is going to be of
interest in determining the risk of many disorders such as cancer or atherosclerosis. The diagnosis value of
IGF-I is dependent on the establishment of an accurate reference ranges, which can be affected by parameters
such as age, gender, ethnicity, medications, chronic illness, or assay methodologies.

Objective:
To determine reference ranges of IGF-I for healthy Thai adults.

Material and Method:
Eight hundred sixteen healthy Thai adults aged between 21-70 years were recruited in
the present study. Serum IGF-I was measured by using immunochemiluminescent (ICMA; Roche, USA). Subjects
were recorded by their age and gender groups. Data were presented in mean and + 2 standard deviation (SD).
Correlation analysis between serum IGF-I and physical parameters including sex, age, weight, height, and
body mass index (BMI) was also made.

Results: The present study demonstrated normal reference range of serum IGF-I by using mean + 2SD value.
The well-known age dependency of serum IGF-I levels was also revealed. Levels decreased with increasing
age in both genders. The mean value of serum IGF-I was slightly higher in women at the age of 30-40 years
compared with men in the same age group, but not statistically insignificant. In addition, serum IGF-I was
found to correlate directly with the height and negatively with BMI. However, age-adjusted IGF-I level did not
show correlation with these physical parameters.

Conclusion: This reference range will be beneficial for using IGF-I assay as a tool in the diagnosis of GH
function abnormalities in Thai subjects.

Keywords:
IGF-I, Growth Hormone

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