IGF-I is the most reliable biochemical indicator of acromegaly. An excellent linear dose-response correlation between serum IGF-I levels and 24-hour integrated GH secretion has been demonstrated. Elevated IGF-I values in a patient whose symptoms prompt appropriate clinical suspicion almost always indicate GH excess. IGF-I is useful not only in diagnosis but also in monitoring the efficacy of therapy.
Because of the relatively high incidence of nonfunctioning, incidentally discovered pituitary adenomas, imaging studies should be obtained only after a firm biochemical diagnosis of acromegaly has been made.
Only a small percentage of patients investigated for acromegaly have a postglucose GH level that is intermediate (5-10 ng/mL). In these patients, other tests can be used to define their status.
Learn more about the workup of acromegaly.
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Cite this: Romesh Khardori. Fast Five Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of Acromegaly - Medscape - Sep 16, 2020.
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