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Insulin-Like Growth Factor-Binding Protein 3 (IGFBP-3), Serum

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Updated Test Information:

Test Description
Insulin-Like Growth Factor-Binding Protein 3 (IGFBP-3), Serum
Synonym(s)

IGFBP-3; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3, Serum; Somatomedin C Binding Protein
Test ID
IGFB3
General Information

Useful for:



  • Diagnosing growth disorders

  • Diagnosing adult growth hormone deficiency

  • Monitoring of recombinant human growth hormone treatment

  • As a possible adjunct to insulin-like growth-factor-1 and growth hormone in the diagnosis and follow-up of acromegaly and gigantism
Specimen Type

Serum
Specimen Requirements

  • Preferred: Red Top

  • Acceptable: Serum Gel (SST)
Minimum Sample Volume

0.3 mL
Additional Processing Details

Centrifuge promptly
Required Information

Indicate patient's age and sex
Stability

  • Frozen (preferred): 14 days

  • Refrigerated: 72 hours

  • Ambient: 72 hours
Unacceptable Specimen Conditions

  • Gross hemolysis

  • Gross icterus
Limitations

  • Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) reference ranges are highly age dependent and results must always be interpreted within the context of the patient's age

  • Discrepant IGFBP-3 and IGF-1 results can sometimes occur due to liver and kidney disease; however, this is uncommon and such results should alert laboratories and physicians to the possible occurrence of a preanalytical or analytical error

  • At this time, IGFBP-3 cannot be reliably used as a prognostic marker in breast, colon, prostate, or lung cancer

  • IGFBP-3 assays exhibit significant variability among platforms and manufacturers. Direct comparison of results obtained by different assays is problematic. Reestablishing a patient's-baseline concentration is preferred if assays are changed

  • Heterophilic antibodies in human serum can react with the immunoglobulins included in the assay components causing interference with in vitro immunoassays. Specimens from patients with autoimmune diseases or from individuals routinely exposed to animals or animal serum products can demonstrate this type of interference, potentially causing an anomalous result. The assay reagents have been formulated to minimize the risk of such interference; however, potential interactions between rare sera and test components can occur. For diagnostic purposes, the results obtained from this assay should always be used in combination with the clinical examination, patient medical history, and other findings.
Methodology

Enzyme-Labeled Chemiluminescent Immunometric Assay
Estimated TAT

1-3 days
Testing Schedule

Monday-Saturday
Retention

3 months
CPT Code(s)

83520
Reference Range
Age Ref Range (mcg/mL) Age Ref Range (mcg/mL) Age Ref Range (mcg/mL)
1-7 days ≤ 0.7 10 years 2.1 - 7.7 26 - 30 years 3.5 - 7.6
8 - 14 days 0.5 - 1.4 11 years 2.4 - 8.4 31 - 35 years 3.5 - 7.0
15 days - 11 months Not Given 12 years 2.7 - 8.9 36 - 40 years 3.4 - 6.7
1 year 0.7 - 3.6 13 years 3.1 - 9.5 41 - 45 years 3.3 - 6.6
2 years 0.8 - 3.9 14 years 3.3 - 10.0 46 - 50 years 3.3 - 6.7
3 years 0.9 - 4.3 15 years 3.5 - 10.0 51 - 55 years 3.4 - 6.8
4 years 1.0 - 4.7 16 years 3.4 - 9.5 56 - 60 years 3.4 - 6.9
5 years 1.1 - 5.2 17 years 3.2 - 8.7 61 - 65 years 3.2 - 6.6
6 years 1.3 - 5.6 18 years 3.1 - 7.9 66 - 70 years 3.0 - 6.2
7 years 1.4 - 6.1 19 years 2.9 - 7.3 71 - 75 years 2.8 - 5.7
8 years 1.6 - 6.5 20 years 2.9 - 7.2 76 - 80 years 2.5 - 5.1
9 years 1.8 - 7.1 21 - 25 years 3.4 - 7.8 81 - 85 years 2.2 - 4.5

 

Tanner Stage Males (mcg/mL) Females (mcg/mL)
Stage I 1.4 - 5.2 1.2 - 6.4
Stage II 2.3 - 6.3 2.8 - 6.9
Stage III 3.1 - 8.9 3.9 - 9.4
Stage IV 3.7 - 8.7 3.3 - 8.1
Stage V 2.6 - 8.6 2.7 - 9.1

Note: Puberty onset, ie, the transition from Tanner stage I (prepubertal) to Tanner stage II (early pubertal), occurs for girls at a median age of 10.5 (+/-2) years and for boys at a median age of 11.5 (+/-2) years. There is evidence that it may occur up to 1 year earlier in obese girls and in African-American girls. By contrast, for boys there is no definite proven relationship between puberty onset and body weight or ethnic origin. Progression through Tanner stages is variable. Tanner stage V (young adult) should be reached by age 18.
Performing Lab

Mayo
LOINC Code(s)

2483-6
Additional Information