IGF-1 Test: Everything You Need To Know

Woman hydrating while a man, showcasing the benefits of an IGF-1 test, displays his sculpted physique against a split backdrop.

​If you’ve been into improving your physique as of late, you might be thinking of boosting your insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) levels—but you’ve also learned that an increase or decrease in the protein could be harmful. Well, an IGF-1 test might just be the solution to figuring out whether you need more or less of the protein to improve your holistic well-being. ​Keep reading to find out more about the double-edged sword that is IGF-1.

Fasting Insulin Test: What Is Insulin & How to Manage Its Levels

Illustration of the cycle of insulin resistance, highlighting the steps from eating food to storing sugar as fat, emphasized by a Fasting Insulin Test.

​A fasting insulin test may be your key to an early diagnosis of one of the most common life-threatening disease of today—diabetes. Diabetes mellitus is a serious condition in which your body’s blood glucose or blood sugar levels are above the normal range. According to the American Diabetes Association, 30.3 million Americans have diabetes—that was in 2015, and the number is expected to rise by 2050. ​To understand diabetes more and the tests needed to detect it, we have to discuss the hormone behind the production and control of glucose: insulin.

SHBG Test: Don’t Underestimate Its Value For Your Health

Healthcare professional drawing blood from a patient's arm for an SHBG test.

​There’s a lot of talk about testing your total and free testosterone levels, but not much about regular use of an SHBG test.After all, why would you test a protein to get a measure of your hormone levels? But, research is gaining ground as to its importance to your hormone health. Testing is even being recommended to determine the risk of an individual for certain diseases and disorders. ​So, read on to find out what makes SHBG a crucial marker for your health.