Glucagon

Glucagon, Plasma, Pancreatic Hypercalcemic Factor

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1232155, Beaker: GLUCAGON, Quest: 519

Department

Send Outs

Instructions

Overnight fasting is required.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One Lavender-top EDTA tube, invert several times to mix.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Critical frozen. After collection, centrifuge to separate plasma from cells. Immediately transfer plasma to a plastic transport tube and freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below).

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 2.0 mL plasma, frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Grossly hemolyzed specimens.
• Received refrigerated.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

Inpatient Specimen Preparation

Critical frozen. Deliver specimen, ON ICE, to the Laboratory immediately after collection.

In-Lab Processing

Critical frozen. After collection, centrifuge to separate plasma from cells. Immediately transfer plasma to a plastic transport tube and freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below).

Transport: 2.0 mL plasma, frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): Unacceptable
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 2 hours
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 28 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Quest Diagnostics, Wood Dale, IL.

Performed

Monday.
Results available in 6-13 days.

Reference Range

11-78 pg/mL

Test Methodology

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Immunoassay (ELISA)

Interpretation

By report.

Clinical Utility

The glucagon assay is useful primarily when considering a glucagon-secreting tumor of the pancreas. Glucagonomas cause an unusual but characteristic syndrome consisting of a rash, mild diabetes, weight loss and hypoamninoacidemia. Measurement of plasma glucagon confirms the diagnosis; glucagon levels are very high in the setting of glucagonoma.

CPT Codes

82943

Contacts

Last Updated

12/17/2025