Insulin, Fasting

Also known as: INSULIN FT

Clinical Use

Use

The Insulin, Fasting test is primarily used to aid in the detection of insulinoma. Insulinomas are pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors that often result in excessive insulin production, leading to hypoglycemia. However, this test should not be used for diagnosing diabetes mellitus as it specifically measures fasting insulin levels to assist in identifying abnormal insulin production, which can indicate the presence of such tumors.

Special Instructions

Not provided.

Limitations

The Insulin, Fasting test has specific cross-reactivity characteristics; it reacts on a nearly equimolar basis with insulin analogs such as insulin aspart, insulin glargine, and insulin lispro. Insulin detemir shows approximately 50 percent cross-reactivity, whereas insulin glulisine exhibits negligible cross-reactivity (<3 percent). This must be taken into account when interpreting results, particularly if the patient is on any of these analogs. Additionally, specimens collected in heparinized plasma or in gray (sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate) tubes, vitreous or intravenous fluids, or hemolyzed specimens are unacceptable and can lead to inaccurate results.

Test Details

FDA Approved

New York Approved

Methodology

Immunoassay (CLIA)

Biomarkers

Insulin

Analyte

Insulin Measurement

Concentration / Level • Quantitative (Continuous) (e.g., copies/mL, % expression)

LOINC Codes

Order Codes

27873-9 - Insulin p fast SerPl-aCnc

Result Codes

27873-9 - Insulin p fast SerPl-aCnc

Result Turnaround Time

1 day

Specimen

Serum

Volume

1 mL

Minimum Volume

0.4 mL

Container

ARUP Standard Transport Tube

Collection Instructions

Collect using a serum separator tube. Allow the specimen to clot at room temperature, separate serum from cells within 2 hours, and transfer to a transport tube.