Clinical indication for request: Suspicion of an insulinoma. Pro-insulin is secreted in excess by insulinomas due to a shortened storage phase. Pro-insulin has 10% of the hypoglycaemic effect of insulin, but it accounts for 25% of immunoreactive insulin.
Tube
01 (SE) – Serum Gel
ID
Tests&Tubes0238
Additional Information
Excess levels reliably indicate an insulinoma. High proportion of pro-insulin to insulin indicates an undifferentiated tumour e.g. an islet cell carcinoma.
Turn Around
Turnaround time stated by Guildford: 2 weeks.
Send to
Blood Sciences LGI
(Test referred to: Guildford biochemistry lab).
Contact
For further details please contact Leeds Pathology customer services: [email protected].
Advice
Full information on all referred tests can be found on the referred tests information database, EQMS reference BSF2REC17003.
Collection Con
Sample must be received in the lab within 1h of collection. A fluoride sample for plasma glucose is also required. Instructions to lab: Centrifuge sample, separate serum and store in freezer within 1h of sample collection. Lithium heparin plasma is also acceptable.
Minimum volume: 0.1mL serum.
Sample REQ
Blood.
Ref. Range Notes
< 10 pmol/L in hypoglycaemia.
Units
pmol/L