Test Directory

For use when considering a glucagon-secreting tumor of the pancreas, in the diagnosis and management of diabetes mellitus and other carbohydrate metabolism disorders, and in the diagnosis of glucagon deficiency in patients with hypoglycemia.

Specimen Type: Plasma

Collection Container: Lavender-top (EDTA) tube (chilled)

Desired Specimen Volume: 1 mL

1. Collect a lavender-top (EDTA) tube (chilled) via venipuncture.

1. Separate plasma from cells
2. Transfer 1 mL of plasma to a LabCorp PP transpak frozen purple tube
3. To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple tests on frozen samples, please submit separate frozen specimens for each test requested

1. 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.
2. This test may exhibit interference when sample is collected from a person who is consuming a supplement with a high dose of biotin (also termed as vitamin B7 or B8, vitamin H, or coenzyme R). It is recommended to ask all patients who may be indicated for this test about biotin supplementation. Patients should be cautioned to stop biotin consumption at least 72 hours prior to the collection of a sample.

Transport to the laboratory frozen. 

• Lipemia
• Hemolysis or icterus
• Non EDTA plasma sample received
• Nonfrozen sample received

See patient report.

• Pancreatic Glucagon