Glucagon, Plasma
Also known as: Pancreatic Glucagon
Use
For use (1) when considering a glucagon-secreting tumor of the pancreas, (2) in the diagnosis and management of diabetes mellitus and other carbohydrate metabolism disorders, and (3) in the diagnosis of glucagon deficiency in patients with hypoglycemia.
Special Instructions
Patients should discontinue biotin supplements 72 hours prior to sample collection to avoid interference. Ensure that the patient is not in a stress state, and for diabetic patients, they should be under good control. It is recommended to check possible biotin supplementation with all patients indicated for this test.
Limitations
This test may exhibit interference from high doses of biotin (vitamin B7/B8), causing inaccurate results. Glucagon levels may also be affected by physiological stress unrelated to hypoglycemia, such as surgery, trauma, sepsis, or burns. This can lead to elevated glucagon levels not associated with a true glucagonoma. Non-frozen, lipemic, hemolyzed, or icteric samples, as well as non-EDTA samples, are not suitable for analysis.
Methodology
Immunoassay (EIA)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 2338-2
- 2338-2
Result Turnaround Time
3-10 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Plasma
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Container
Lavender-top (EDTA) tube (chilled)
Collection Instructions
Separate plasma and transfer specimen to a plastic transport tube before freezing. For multiple tests, submit separate frozen specimens for each test.
Patient Preparation
Overnight fasting for basal levels. Patient should not be in a stress state at time of drawing. If diabetic, patient should be in good control before specimen is drawn.
Storage Instructions
Freeze.
Causes for Rejection
Lipemia, hemolysis or icterus; non EDTA plasma sample received; non‐frozen sample received
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | Unstable |
| Refrigerated | Unstable |
| Frozen | 7 days |