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HelpTest Code GLP Glucagon, Plasma
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation: Fasting (8 hours)
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 2 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Pre-chill lavender top (EDTA) tube at 4° C before drawing the specimen.
2. Draw blood into the pre-chilled tube and process as follows:
 a. Chill filled tube in wet ice for 10 minutes.
 b. Centrifuge in a refrigerated centrifuge or in a pre-chilled centrifuge carrier.
 c. Immediately after centrifugation, aliquot plasma into a plastic vial and freeze.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.45 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plasma EDTA | Frozen | 90 days |
Useful For
Diagnosis and follow-up of glucagonomas and other glucagon-producing tumors
Assessing diabetic patients with problematic hyper- or hypoglycemic episodes (extremely limited utility)
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
| Gross icterus | OK |
Day(s) Performed
Tuesday, Thursday
Report Available
3 to 7 daysReporting Name
Glucagon, PReference Values
≤6 hours: 100-650 pg/mL
1-2 days: 70-450 pg/mL
2-4 days: 100-650 pg/mL
4-14 days: declining gradually to adult levels
>14 days: ≤80 pg/mL (range based on 95% confidence limits)
Glucagon levels are inversely related to blood glucose levels at all ages. This is particularly pronounced at birth and shortly thereafter, until regular feeding patterns are established. This explains the higher levels immediately after birth, which then first fall as the glucagon release mobilizes the infant's glucose stores, then rise again as stores are depleted, finally normalizing towards adult levels as regular feeding patterns are established.
For International System of Units (SI) for Reference Values, see www.mayocliniclabs.com/order-tests/si-unit-conversion.html.
Method Name
Immunoassay
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
CPT Code Information
82943