Marianco - Where Does ILGF-1/GH Fit Into The Mix?

[DavidZ]

Marianco, I take it by now you've read my thread "SHBG, Insulin Resistance and DHT" and have seen how my blood tests illustrate how all these hormones work together in the insulin sensitivity arena.

My question to you is - where does growth hormone fit into all this? My ILGF-1 runs low-normal, so I'm thinking about ways to boost it a little. From what I've read, if you boost GH too much, you'll become much more insulin resistant. But I suspect that if you're low-normal and you bring it up to mid-normal, that'll have a positive result.

I look forward to your comments.

[1cc]

David,

You need to get the book "The Life Extension Revolution" - Dr. Philip Miller, it is excellent and a must have. In this book he discusses that sometimes IGF-1 levels are not an accurate indicator of Growth Hormone levels. Most of the time it is, but sometimes it isn't depending on various factors in the person. One example is that in young healthy athletes, IGF-1 levels are typically low, even though Growth Hormone is optimal. The section discussing this is quite extensive, so I won't be able to put it all here.

[DavidZ]

Originally Posted by 1cc

David, You need to get the book "The Life Extension Revolution" - Dr. Philip Miller, it is excellent and a must have.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

Originally Posted by 1cc

In this book he discusses that sometimes IGF-1 levels are not an accurate indicator of Growth Hormone levels. Most of the time it is, but sometimes it isn't depending on various factors in the person. One example is that in young healthy athletes, IGF-1 levels are typically low, even though Growth Hormone is optimal. The section discussing this is quite extensive, so I won't be able to put it all here.

My ILGF-1 runs low normal. Do you think there's any reason for me to believe that it doesn't represent my GH level?

Also, what test(s) does he recommend in lieu of ILGF-1? IIRC, a GH stimulation test is quite an ordeal.

[1cc]

I did not read the entire section in depth. It would be a good idea that you do it and see how it may apply to you, especially since you know yourself best.

Here are some other excerpts:

"We know that high cortisol levels can cause an increase in IGF-1 levels. When IGF-1 levels are high, it sends a message to the hypothalamus to inhibit the release of growth hormone. Diabetics and overweight people also tend to have high IGF-1 levels, which suppress growth hormone release."

"People who are fasting or restricting caloric intake also experience a surge in growth hormone but a drop in IGF-1"

"When you take steps to reduce stress, eat a healthy diet low in sugar, get proper sleep and excercise, you create the conditions that enable your body to to utilize growth hormone to its greatest effect, and avoid the conditions that unnaturally elevate IGF-1 levels"

"Because I knew that Brian (patient) was following a healthy, anti-aging lifestyle, and still had suboptimal levels of IGF-1, he was a good candidate for growth hormone therapy."