Specimen Requirements

Title

Glucagon

Specimen Requirement

Collect lavender EDTA, immediately invert 6x, centrifuge, within 1 hour of collection transfer 1.0 mL plasma to a screw top plastic vial, indicate sample type on plastic vial and send.

Patient Preparation:
Fast 8-12 hours prior to collection.

Methodology

Quantitative Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

Stability

Room temp: 4 hours, Refrigerated: 72 hours, Frozen: 1 month

Reference Range

The reference range is determined by the performing laboratory and will show on the report.

Turnaround

10-14 days

Clinical Use

Diagnose glucagonoma. Glucagonoma may be present in three different syndromes. The first consists of a characteristic skin rash, necrolytic migratory erythema, diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance, weight loss, anemia, and venous thrombosis. This form usually shows very high glucagon levels, >1000 pg/mL. The second form is associated with severe diabetes, and the third form with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome. This form may have relatively lower glucagon levels.

Test Code

GLUCA