Glucagon, Blood (Referred out) - Saskatoon
Discipline
Biochemistry
Overview
Description
- Collect fasting specimen
- This test has EXTREMELY LIMITED utility for assessment of diabetic patients with problematic hyper- or hypoglycemic episodes.
- Glucagon is routinely measured along with serum glucose, insulin, and C-peptide levels, during the mixed-meal test employed in the diagnostic workup of suspected postprandial hypoglycemia. However, it plays only a minor role in the interpretation of this test.
Test ordering requirements
Preferred specimen collection
- Refer patient to a Laboratory Health Services Centre or a Hospital Test Centre able to process specimens within required time frame
Specimen Information
Specimen types accepted
- Plasma
Specimen collection container
- Preferred collection container: Lavender (EDTA) 4.0mL
Collection procedure
- Chill tube before collection. Chill specimen on ice for 10 minutes following collection; then centrifuge, aliquot and freeze
Required volume
- Optimal volume: 4.0 mL full collection tube
- Minimum volume: 2 mL plasma
(Submitting the minimum volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory/reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum volume may require a second collection.)
- Pediatric volume: 0.45 mL plasma
Transport and stability
- Stable frozen for 90 days
Rejection criteria
- Specimens received where the proper collection protocols were not followed
- Gross hemolysis, gross lipemia, gross icterus
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Acceptance and Rejection Criteria
Performance
Methodology
- Immunoassay following extraction
Days/times performed
Availability |
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Testing site |
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Maximum laboratory time
- Two day turnaround time by testing laboratory
Other information
Additional comments
- This test can be used to evaluate glucagonomas and other glucagon-producing tumors
- Elevated glucagon levels in the absence of hypoglycemia may suggest the presence of a glucagon-secreting tumor
Last Updated: October 9, 2024