Glucagon

Overview

  • EPIC Code:
  • LAB1005
  • Soft Test Code:
  • GLUCO
  • Send Out Test Code:
  • 519
Alternate Names
  • Pancreatic Hypercalcemic Factor
Clinical Significance

 The glucagon assay is useful primarily when considering a glucagon-secreting tumor of the pancreas. Glucagonomas cause an unusual but characteristic syndrome consisting of a rash, mild diabetes, weight loss and hypoamninoacidemia. Measurement of plasma glucagon confirms the diagnosis; glucagon levels are very high in the setting of glucagonoma.


Specimen Collection & Preparation

Patient Preparation

Overnight Fasting required


Specimen Requirements

2.0 mL Plasma from a Lavender Top Tube - EDTA in a Plastic Vial


Transport And Storage

28 days Frozen


Collection Instructions

Collect EDTA plasma, gently invert several times to mix, Centrifuge and separate from cells immediately, transfer the plasma into a clean, plastic screw-cap vial and freeze.

There should be no delay in freezing as the analyte is very unstable and samples must be kept frozen until testing.
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Minimum Volume

0.5 mL Plasma


Neonatal Volume

Clinical Interpretation

Reference Range:

Glucagon  11-78 pg/mL


Methodology:
  • Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Immunoassay (ELISA)
Clinical Significance

 The glucagon assay is useful primarily when considering a glucagon-secreting tumor of the pancreas. Glucagonomas cause an unusual but characteristic syndrome consisting of a rash, mild diabetes, weight loss and hypoamninoacidemia. Measurement of plasma glucagon confirms the diagnosis; glucagon levels are very high in the setting of glucagonoma.


Production Schedule

Sites Performed
  • Quest - Chantilly
Days Performed
Monday
Departments
  • Sendouts - Clinical
Turn Around Time

7 to 14 days


Coding & Compliance

CDM

00910046


CPT Coding

82943