| Test Name: | Insulin - Like Growth Factor Binding Protein - 3 (IGFBP - 3) |
| Epic Order Code: | LAB5236 | | |
| CPT Code: | 83519 | | |
| Specimen(s) Type: | Serum, 0.5 mL | | |
| Acceptable Container(s): |   Tops are gold and red. |
| Testing Schedule: | Monday-Friday |
| Turn Around Time: | STAT: NA | | |
| | Routine: 4-8 days |
| Collection Information: | No special patient preparation is required. Obtain by standard collection procedures. |
| Transport Information: | Deliver to lab immediately. All specimens must be signed into the laboratory. |
| Reference Clients: | If unable to deliver to the lab within 1 hour, centrifuge the specimen and remove serum from the red cells. Store and transport at 2-8° C within 7 days. If longer storage is required, store and transport at -20° C for up to 6 months. |
| Causes for Rejection: | Improperly labeled, incorrect container, contaminated, insufficient volume, incorrect/delay in transport, gross hemolysis or lipemia. |
| Reference Range: | See patient report |
| Additional Information: | Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins bind IGF-I and IGF-II with high affinity but do not bind insulin. Of the six distinct IGF binding proteins structurally characterized at this time, IGFBP-3 has been shown to be the major carrier of the IGFs, transporting approximately 95% of circulating IGF-I and IGF-II. |
| | The IGFBP-3 assay is useful in assessing nutritional status, since IGFBP-3 decreases during both caloric and protein restriction. |