The biochemical diagnosis of acromegaly: revising the role of measurement of IGF-I and GH after glucose load in 5 questions.

Interpretation of GH and IGF-I assays is important in establishing an early diagnosis of acromegaly, in avoiding misdiagnosis, and in establishing if cure is achieved by surgery. Physicians should be familiar with the variables that affect measurements of these 2 hormones, and with the performance of the assays available in their practice.