Glucagon

General

Synonym/Acronym:
N/A

Rationale
To evaluate the amount of circulating glucagon toward diagnosing diseases such as hypoglycemia, glucagon secreting tumor, pancreatic cancer, or inflammation.

Patient Preparation
There are no fluid, activity, or medication restrictions unless by medical direction. Instruct the patient to fast for at least 12 hr before specimen collection for baseline values. Patients with diabetes should have good glycemic management before testing.

Normal Findings
Method: Radioimmunoassay.

AgeConventional UnitsSI Units (Conventional Units × 1)
Cord blood–6 hr100–650 pg/mL100–650 ng/L
1–2 days70–450 pg/mL70–450 ng/L
2–4 days100–650 pg/mL100–650 ng/L
5–14 daysLevels gradually decline to adult levels with establishment of a regular feeding schedule
AdultLess than or equal to 80 pg/mLLess than or equal to 80 ng/L

Critical Findings and Potential Interventions
N/A

There's more to see -- the rest of this topic is available only to subscribers.