The difference between IGF-1 vs GH, which one is better?

IGF-1 vs GH ,GH, as a growth hormone, is the most well-known anabolic hormone. Mention GH, you must mention IGF-1, because GH secreteing in the body in the form of a pulse, so if you want to determine whether the level of growth hormone in a person’s body is enough, it is necessary to determine the level of IGF-1. IGF-1 is mainly produced by secretory stimulation of GH, therefore, GH acts through IGF-1, and some GH also acts alone. Similarly, IGF-1 mediates the action of GH while having an independent effect independent of GH. The two work synergistically and separately.

With GH and without iGF-1

In a new form of dwarfism, patients have high serum GH values, but they are unable to produce IGF-1. Studies have shown that their GH receptor genes are missing or mutated, resulting in an inability to produce IGF-1 and reduced synthesis of several other IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP). In these patients, who were slightly shorter from birth than the healthy babies, bone maturation and organ growth delay throughout the single year. At the same time, the deficiency of IGF-1 can also lead to poor muscle development and weakness.

By knocking out the IGF-1 gene or GH receptor, it was confirmed in mice that growth and bone development were impaired, body size was reduced, and growth rate decreased when IGF-1 was lacking.

After treatment with IGF-1, the mean growth rate of patients increased from 3-4.7cm/year to 8.2-9.1cm/year.

Synergistic effect of IGF-1 vs GH

GH stimulates bone growth by stimulating the liver to produce IGF-1, and IGF1 in turn promotes longitudinal bone growth in an endocrine manner.

IGF mediates most of the effects of GH on bone metabolism, promoting cartilage formation and increasing bone formation by regulating the function of differentiated osteoblasts.

How to choose IGF-1 compared with GH?

For the vast majority of people, especially bodybuilders, IGF-1 vs GH are both anabolic and growth-promoting hormones that perform similar functions. In fact, as different hormones, they still have a lot of subtle differences. In addition to muscle gain, bone health is also important to bodybuilders, and if your own bone mass is not enough to withstand the stress caused by the muscle gained, the consequences can be disastrous. IGF-1 plays an important role in bone health, however, with age, IGF-1 levels in the body decrease year by year, and the bone response to IGF-1 gradually decreases, requiring higher doses of IGF-1 to achieve the same anabolic effects. This is an advantage of IGF-1. At the same time, compared with GH,IGF-1 takes effect faster and can play a role faster.