What is Somatomedin C?
Somatomedin C and IGF-1 are the same hormone, different names. Growth hormone acts on the body by causing the liver and other tissues to produce a hormone known as “insulin-like growth factor-1” (IGF-1) – it is the IGF-1 (Somatomedin C) that causes the ill effects of too much growth hormone. Growth hormone is released from the pituitary gland in “bursts” or “spurts” – the levels vary considerable from minute to minute, so one measurement does not reflect overall growth hormone production. IGF-1 is more constant in the blood and is a much better and more accurate indicator of overall growth hormone production. The IGF-1 blood test is used to assess the effectiveness of all treatments (surgery, radiation, medical treatment). If a patient is treated with the growth hormone antagonist, see below for description) pegvisomant (Somavert), the only reliable test of effectiveness is the IGF-1 (Somatomedin C) level. Measurement of growth hormone in a patient receiving pegvisomant (Somavert) will
