Hi there Lisa,

My GP here in Australia tests my IGF-1 regularly and it is covered by the Australian Medicare Benefits scheme, so costs me nothing.

I was tested prior to starting 5:2 which was now going on 3 years ago and I’ve been tested since. Since starting 5:2 my IGF-1 has fallen considerably, much to the chagrin of my GP, who, in response has wanted to prescribe GH replacement. My GP has thoroughly read Valter Longo’s research and completely disagrees with conclusions drawn from it. My GP’s view is that with the fall in IGF-1 comes an accompanying loss of muscle mass, which he regards as a major bio-marker of accelerated ageing. My GP also tracks, has for many years, all his patients on his GH replacement for development of cancers and is satisfied his GH replacement has produced no new cases of cancer of any kind. In fact this GP also is proactive in testing blood for markers of cancers for those types of cancer that can be detected by such tests, so he is diligent diagnostically. I’ve had numerous tests over the years to reveal whether or not I show markers of various types of cancer. I’m mentioning this again, to vouch that my GP takes the possibilities of development of new cancers, quite seriously.

GH replacement is very expensive and I haven’t taken him up on his recommendation of replacing that particular hormone. However, I find his view interesting, as I do that of Valter Longo and I regard both as making valid points.