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The typical self-pay IGF-1 blood test cost is about $52 to $139 for a standalone test, based on current direct-to-consumer and online lab ordering options reviewed for this article. The lowest advertised standalone price we found was Own Your Labs at $51.80, while Labcorp OnDemand lists its IGF-1 test at $139. Ulta Lab Tests lists a discounted IGF-1 price of $59.16, but its standard specimen collection fee is typically added at checkout, making the practical single-test total about $72.11 when the standard draw fee applies. HealthLabs lists IGF-1 testing around $129 through online lab ordering sources and states that its posted prices do not add hidden shipping, tax, or extra lab charges.
Those numbers are useful starting points, but the best IGF-1 blood test cost comparison is the checkout total, not the banner price. For this test, the important details are: whether the price includes the lab order, whether a blood draw fee is separate, which lab network performs the test, whether your state is eligible, and how quickly results are expected.
Quick Take
- Best cost range to expect: about $52–$139 for a standalone IGF-1 blood test before optional services.
- Specimen: usually serum from a standard venous blood draw.
- Why it is ordered: IGF-1 is commonly used as an indirect marker of growth hormone activity because growth hormone is released in pulses.
- Ranges are age-adjusted: an IGF-1 value that is normal for a teenager may be high for an older adult, and adult ranges decline with age.
- Not a diagnosis by itself: high or low IGF-1 results are interpreted with symptoms, medications, nutrition, other pituitary labs, and sometimes growth hormone suppression or stimulation testing.
IGF-1 blood test cost comparison
Prices change frequently, and promotions can appear or disappear without much notice. Use this table as a practical shopping framework, then confirm the final total in the cart before paying.
| Provider | Standalone IGF-1 option reviewed | Advertised test price | Mandatory fee check | Estimated effective cost | Collection and turnaround notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Own Your Labs | IGF-1, Labcorp test code 010363 | $51.80 | Own Your Labs states participating-site blood draw costs are covered in the amount paid at checkout. | About $51.80 when drawn at a participating Labcorp location. | Serum test; listed turnaround 2–4 days. In-lab orders are restricted for residents of several states, including NY, MA, MD, NJ, and RI. |
| Ulta Lab Tests | IGF-1 Test; IGF-I, LC/MS #16293 | $59.16 promotional price shown; list price $229.05 | Ulta states a standard specimen collection fee is added at checkout; the standard fee is $12.95 unless a selected location shows a different amount. | About $72.11 with the $12.95 standard collection fee. | Serum blood draw; listed process time average 5–6 business days, up to 7 business days. Ulta availability excludes some states such as NY, NJ, and RI. |
| HealthLabs | IGF-1 (Insulin Like Growth Factor) Test | About $129 | Provider materials state the displayed price is the price paid, with no shipping, taxes, or additional charges for standard lab testing. | About $129 when available in your state. | HealthLabs uses partnered lab locations, primarily Quest Diagnostics sites. Some online listings show restrictions including MD, NJ, NY, and RI for this test. |
| Labcorp OnDemand | Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) Test | $139 | No separate standard collection fee is shown on the product page for in-person Labcorp collection. | About $139. | Blood sample collected in person at a Labcorp location; age eligibility 18–100; results listed as 2–4 days from when the sample arrives at the lab. |
| Quest Health | No close standalone IGF-1 consumer product identified in the Quest Health shop during review | Not applicable | Quest Health says lab tests that require provider oversight may have an additional physician service fee starting at $6, but this does not apply to a standalone IGF-1 product if it is not offered. | Not applicable for direct Quest Health standalone ordering. | Quest Diagnostics performs IGF-1 testing through clinician orders and some third-party ordering services, but that is different from Quest Health’s consumer shop. |
Cost bottom line: If you are comparing only a single IGF-1 test, Own Your Labs and Ulta Lab Tests often appear less expensive than Labcorp OnDemand, but the details are different. Own Your Labs uses Labcorp collection and includes the standard blood draw at participating locations. Ulta’s promoted test price is low, but the standard collection fee usually needs to be added. Labcorp OnDemand is more expensive, but the product page is straightforward and includes the order pathway, Labcorp collection, and adult eligibility details in one place.
What the IGF-1 blood test measures
IGF-1 stands for insulin-like growth factor 1. It is a hormone-like protein made mostly by the liver in response to growth hormone, which is released by the pituitary gland. IGF-1 helps mediate many growth hormone effects on bone, soft tissue, muscle, and metabolism.
The reason IGF-1 is so commonly used in growth hormone evaluation is that it is more stable in blood than growth hormone itself. Growth hormone is secreted in pulses, often with nighttime peaks. A random growth hormone level may be low simply because the blood was drawn between pulses. IGF-1 changes less hour-to-hour, so it gives clinicians a better snapshot of average growth hormone activity over time.
Why IGF-1 ranges are age-adjusted
IGF-1 is not interpreted with one universal adult range. Levels are naturally low in early childhood, rise through puberty and adolescence, and then gradually decline across adulthood. Sex can also matter, especially around puberty and young adulthood.
The following examples show how dramatically the expected range can shift by age. These are example reference intervals from one Labcorp-associated IGF-1 listing, not a universal standard for every lab.
| Age | Example male reference range | Example female reference range | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 years | 75–366 ng/mL | 85–526 ng/mL | Children and adolescents can have high expected ranges during growth. |
| 15 years | 161–760 ng/mL | 156–586 ng/mL | Pubertal stage and growth velocity strongly affect interpretation. |
| 21–25 years | 109–353 ng/mL | 101–347 ng/mL | Young adult levels are typically lower than peak adolescent ranges. |
| 46–50 years | 81–263 ng/mL | 70–225 ng/mL | Adult reference intervals decline with age. |
| 71–75 years | 53–222 ng/mL | 48–191 ng/mL | A value that looks modest in a younger adult may be high relative to an older adult’s range. |
This is also why the ordering provider or laboratory needs the patient’s correct age, and often sex, to report the proper range and sometimes a Z-score. A Z-score describes how far the result is from the expected mean for a comparable age and sex group. Some Quest IGF-1 reports include male and female Z-score components.
How IGF-1 fits into growth hormone evaluation
IGF-1 is often part of a growth hormone workup, but it is not the entire workup. Clinicians may use it in several different clinical questions:
- Possible growth hormone excess: In adults, persistent excess growth hormone can be associated with acromegaly. In children whose growth plates are still open, excess can contribute to unusually rapid linear growth. When IGF-1 is elevated or borderline high for age and sex, endocrinology guidelines commonly confirm the finding with growth hormone suppression testing, often an oral glucose tolerance test.
- Possible growth hormone deficiency: A low IGF-1 may support concern for growth hormone deficiency, especially when there is known pituitary disease or other pituitary hormone deficiency. However, a normal IGF-1 does not fully exclude adult growth hormone deficiency, and stimulation testing may be needed in the right clinical context.
- Monitoring therapy: Endocrinologists may use IGF-1 to monitor people prescribed growth hormone therapy or treatment for growth hormone excess. This should be clinician-directed because treatment targets depend on diagnosis, age, symptoms, and safety considerations.
- Nutritional or systemic illness context: IGF-1 can be affected by nutrition, liver function, kidney disease, thyroid status, inflammation, uncontrolled diabetes, and medications. A low result is not automatically a pituitary diagnosis.
For shoppers, this context matters because a standalone IGF-1 test may answer only a narrow question. If a clinician is evaluating growth hormone excess, they may need IGF-1 plus confirmatory GH suppression testing. If they are evaluating deficiency, they may consider IGF-1 along with other pituitary hormones and formal GH stimulation testing. Retail testing can provide a result, but it cannot replace that clinical interpretation.
Specimen, method, and preparation factors
Most IGF-1 testing uses a standard blood draw. The usual specimen is serum collected in a red-top tube or serum separator tube. Labcorp’s IGF-1 test directory lists serum as the specimen, 0.5 mL as the preferred volume, and 0.2 mL as the minimum volume. Quest-associated IGF-I, LC/MS listings also use serum, commonly 0.5 mL, with refrigerated transport acceptable.
Preparation is usually simple for a standalone IGF-1 test, but a few details can affect the plan:
- Biotin: Some IGF-1 assays can be affected by high-dose biotin supplements. Labcorp advises asking about biotin and cautions patients to stop biotin for at least 72 hours before collection for its listed IGF-1 test.
- Fasting: Ulta’s IGF-1 product page says no preparation is required. Labcorp OnDemand’s page focuses on biotin rather than fasting. However, if IGF-1 is ordered with glucose, insulin, lipids, or a growth hormone protocol, fasting or timed collection may be required for the overall lab order.
- Timing: IGF-1 itself is more stable than growth hormone across the day, so the draw is usually less timing-sensitive than random GH. Still, follow the instructions on your lab order.
- Correct demographics: Age and sex must be correct because the reference range is age-adjusted and may be sex-adjusted.
- Special protocols: Growth hormone suppression and stimulation tests are not the same as a simple IGF-1 draw. They require timed samples and clinician-supervised protocols.
How high and low IGF-1 results are interpreted
An IGF-1 result is usually reported in ng/mL with a reference interval and sometimes a Z-score. The meaning depends on the age-adjusted range and clinical picture.
When IGF-1 is high
A high IGF-1 can occur when average growth hormone activity is higher than expected. In the right clinical setting, that may raise concern for acromegaly in adults or growth hormone excess in children. Symptoms that prompt clinician evaluation can include changes in facial features, enlarging hands or feet, headaches, sweating, joint pain, sleep apnea, carpal tunnel symptoms, or rapid growth in a child.
But high IGF-1 is not diagnosed from the number alone. Endocrinology guidelines commonly use elevated age-adjusted IGF-1 as a screening signal and then confirm suspected acromegaly with growth hormone response to oral glucose. Imaging, such as pituitary MRI, is generally considered after biochemical testing supports the diagnosis, not just because one retail lab result is mildly high.
When IGF-1 is low
A low IGF-1 can be seen with growth hormone deficiency, but also with malnutrition, significant calorie restriction, liver disease, poorly controlled diabetes, hypothyroidism, chronic inflammatory illness, and some medications. Oral estrogen therapy can lower IGF-1 response to growth hormone. In adults, a normal IGF-1 does not fully rule out growth hormone deficiency, especially when pituitary disease is suspected.
That is why clinicians often interpret low IGF-1 alongside other pituitary labs, medication history, body size, nutrition, and symptoms. In children, growth pattern, height velocity, bone age, pubertal stage, and pediatric endocrinology evaluation matter at least as much as a single lab value.
When the result is borderline
Borderline IGF-1 results are common enough that clinicians may repeat the test, especially if the result does not match symptoms or if there was a possible preparation issue such as recent high-dose biotin. Repeating at the same laboratory can make trend interpretation cleaner. If the question is growth hormone excess or deficiency, the next test is often not another random GH level but a structured suppression or stimulation test selected by the clinician.
Ordering and cost tips before you buy
Before ordering an IGF-1 blood test online, check these practical details:
- Confirm the total price in the cart. Ulta’s test price and collection fee are separate. Own Your Labs and Labcorp OnDemand show simpler all-in standard collection pathways for participating locations. HealthLabs states no hidden extra charges for standard testing.
- Check state availability before comparing prices. Direct-to-consumer lab testing rules vary by state. Some providers restrict orders for residents of New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Maryland, or Massachusetts, depending on the provider and test type.
- Make sure the test matches the clinical need. If a clinician requested “IGF-1 with Z-score,” “IGF-I, LC/MS,” or a specific Labcorp or Quest code, do not substitute casually without asking.
- Know who can use the test. Labcorp OnDemand’s IGF-1 test is listed for ages 18–100 and must be taken by the purchaser. Pediatric growth concerns should go through a child’s clinician.
- Use insurance only when it makes sense. Retail self-pay testing usually does not bill insurance. If a clinician orders IGF-1 for a medically necessary reason, insurance may or may not cover it depending on diagnosis codes, plan rules, deductibles, and lab network.
- Plan for follow-up. A self-ordered abnormal result still needs medical interpretation. IGF-1 is tied to pituitary and endocrine questions that can require specialized testing.
If the goal is simply to find the lowest IGF-1 blood test cost, compare the final checkout total and the lab network. If the goal is to evaluate symptoms, growth, pituitary disease, or treatment monitoring, prioritize ordering the test your clinician can interpret and compare over time.
FAQs
How much does an IGF-1 blood test cost?
Standalone self-pay IGF-1 blood tests commonly cost about $52 to $139 among the providers reviewed. The practical total may be higher than the advertised test price if a provider adds a specimen collection fee or physician/order fee at checkout.
Is IGF-1 the same as a growth hormone test?
No. IGF-1 is a downstream marker that reflects average growth hormone activity. Growth hormone is released in pulses, so random GH levels can be difficult to interpret. Clinicians often use IGF-1 first, then add GH suppression or stimulation testing when the clinical question requires it.
Do I need to fast for an IGF-1 test?
Many standalone IGF-1 tests do not require fasting. However, fasting may be needed if IGF-1 is ordered with glucose, insulin, lipids, or a growth hormone protocol. Follow the instructions on the lab order. If you take high-dose biotin, ask whether you should stop it before the draw; some labs advise stopping biotin for at least 72 hours.
What is a normal IGF-1 range?
There is no single normal range. IGF-1 ranges are strongly age-dependent and may vary by sex and method. Adolescents have much higher expected ranges than older adults. Use the reference interval printed on your own lab report.
Can I order an IGF-1 test without a doctor?
In many states, adults can order IGF-1 through consumer lab providers that arrange provider review and collection at a participating lab. Availability depends on state rules, age limits, and provider policy. Children and people with suspected pituitary or growth disorders should be evaluated through a clinician.
Why would a clinician repeat IGF-1?
A clinician may repeat IGF-1 if the result is borderline, unexpected, affected by possible biotin interference, drawn during illness, or performed by a different lab method than prior tests. Repeat testing is often done at the same lab to make trends easier to compare.
What tests are commonly paired with IGF-1?
Depending on the clinical question, IGF-1 may be paired with growth hormone suppression testing, growth hormone stimulation testing, IGFBP-3, thyroid tests, prolactin, cortisol, LH/FSH, testosterone or estradiol, glucose, A1c, liver tests, kidney tests, and other pituitary-related labs. The right combination depends on the reason for testing.
Practical next steps
Start by deciding whether you are price-shopping for a standalone adult IGF-1 test or trying to answer a medical question with a clinician. For price-shopping, compare the final checkout total, collection location, state eligibility, and turnaround time. For medical evaluation, ask the clinician whether they prefer Labcorp, Quest, a specific test code, or an IGF-1 result with Z-score. If your result is outside the lab’s age-adjusted range, do not diagnose yourself from the number. Save the full report, including reference range and method, and review it with a qualified healthcare professional who can decide whether repeat testing or a formal growth hormone protocol is appropriate.
Source Notes
- Own Your Labs IGF-1 product page — price, Labcorp code 010363, CPT 84305, method, turnaround, preparation, and example reference ranges.
- Ulta Lab Tests IGF-1 Test product page — promotional price, Quest IGF-I, LC/MS #16293, specimen type, process time, method, and preparation statement.
- Labcorp OnDemand Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) Test — price, age eligibility, sample type, collection method, turnaround, and biotin preparation note.
- Labcorp test directory: Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1), test 010363 — specimen requirements, method context, limitations, turnaround, and age-adjusted reference intervals.
- MedlinePlus: IGF-1 test — patient-level explanation of why IGF-1 is tested and how high or low results may be interpreted.
- Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline: Acromegaly — role of IGF-1 and confirmatory GH suppression testing in suspected acromegaly.
- Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline: Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency — limitations of IGF-1 and role of GH stimulation testing.
- Endocrine Society: Growth Hormone Deficiency — patient-level context for IGF-1, IGFBP-3, and growth hormone deficiency evaluation.
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