Suitable Specimen Types
SerumIGFBP-3 (Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3)
Specimen Volume
1 mL blood (250ul serum)Sample Preparation
Centrifuge and separate serum and store at -20 ºC
Turnaround Time
4 weeksSample Processing In Laboratory
UsualSample Stability
36 days at 2 to 8CGeneral Information
Insulin-like growth factors circulate in complex with plasma binding proteins. Four major IGF-binding proteins have been described, but the main binding protein is IGFBP-3, which forms complexes with over 75% of the circulating IGF-1. The concentration of the binding protein is dependent upon growth hormone (GH) and can be used as a measure of IGF-1, and therefore GH, reserve.
Patient Preparation
None
Reference Range
Age and gender specific reference ranges, please contact laboratory
Specifications
- EQA Status: UK NEQAS Guildford Peptide Hormones
- EQAS Scheme: Yes