| Laboratory: | Clinical Biochemistry | ||||
| Test Name: |
INSULIN - (P)
Test Code:
INS
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| Clinical Information: |
Test performed at: Health Sciences Centre
Insulin is a peptide hormone secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas. It regulates glucose uptake and utilization by the liver, muscle and fat. Insulin determination, in conjunction with C-peptide and proinsulin, is used to establish the cause of hypoglycemia (insulinoma, facticious). It may also be used for the assessment and management of diabetes mellitus. Requires simultaneous glucose for adequate interpretation. Patient Preparation Instructions: Multivitamins (45–125 µg biotin) or biotin-only supplements up to 1 mg per day do not interfere with this test. Samples should not be taken from patients receiving therapy with high biotin doses (i.e. >5 mg/day) until at least 8 hours after the last dose. |
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| Collection Devices: |
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| Specimen Required: |
Plasma: 2.0 mL
Pediatric Plasma: 0.5 mL
Stability 2 days refrigerated, 6 months frozen |
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| Referral: |
Serum: 2.0 mL
Samples must be transferred to an aliquot tube and stored frozen if analysis will not be complete within 48 hours (#110-10-05 Serum / Plasma Separation Procedure & Transport)
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| Requisition: | |||||
| Reference Values: |
Fasting: < 140 pmol/L
(pmol/L x 0.139= μU/mL) |
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| Availability: |
Daily
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| See Also: | |||||
| More Information: |
EDTA plasma and hemolyzed samples are not acceptable. Separate the plasma and freeze immediately.
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