Somatomedin is a polypeptide (carried by a protein) that is produced by the liver and other tissues. It mediates growth hormone function and utilization (metabolism) of glucose. This test monitors child growth and is used to diagnose acromegaly and hypopituitary conditions. Somatomedins inhibit the release of growth hormones by acting directly on the anterior pituitary and by stimulating the secretion of somatostatin from the hypothalamus.
Somatomedin levels are increased in:
- Acromegaly
- Hypoglycemia
- Hepatoma
- Wilm’s tumor
- Precocious puberty
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hyperhypothalamic conditions
- HyperPituitary conditions
- Elevated 2-3 times during pregnancy
Somatomedin levels are decreased in:
- Dwarfism
- Hypothalamic conditions
- Hypopituitary conditions
- Hypothyroidism
- Delayed onset of puberty
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Malnutrition
- Anorexia
- Acute illness
- Aging
- Diabetes mellitus
- Maternal deprivation
AGE MALE FEMALE ng/ml nmol/L ng/ml nmol/L
- YEARS 0-5 0-103 0-13.5 0-112 0-14.7
- YEARS 6-8 2-118 0.2-15.4 5-128 0.6-16.8
- YEARS 9-10 15-148 2.0-19.4 24-158 3.1-20.7
- YEARS 11-13 55-216 7.2-28.3 65-226 8.5-29.6
- YEARS 14-15 114-232 14.9-30.4 124-142 16.2-31.7
- YEARS 16-17 84-221 11.0-28.9 94-231 12.3-30.3
- YEARS 18-19 56-177 7.3-23.2 66-186 8.6-24.4
- YEARS 20-24 75-142 9.8-18.6 64-131 8.4-17.2
- YEARS 25-50 60-122 7.9-16.0 50-112 6.6-14.7