Hypoglycemic Panel, Serum/Plasma

Sulfonylureas Panel (chlorpropamide, tolazamide, tolbutamide, acetohexamide, glipizide, glyburide, glimepiride), Meglitinides (repaglinide), Hypoglycemic Agent Screen, Serum

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1232104, Beaker: HypoAg Scn, Quest: 19595

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One plain Red-top tube.

Do not use Serum Separator Tubes.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum to plastic transport tube and maintain at refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46) prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, refrigerated at (2-8°C or 36-46). (Minimum: 0.3 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Received room temperature >48 hours
• Polymer gel separation tube (PST)
• Serum separator tube (SS)
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum to plastic transport tube and maintain at refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46).

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46). (Minimum: 0.3 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 48 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 28 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 24 months

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

As needed
Results available in 5-10 days.

Reference Range

By report.

Test Methodology

High Performance Liquid Chromatography / Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Clinical Utility

The metabolic and hormonal profiles of insulinoma and sulfonylurea-induced hypoglycemia are identical. Therefore, in the evaluation of the hypoglycemic patient, the possible use of oral hypoglycemic agents as the cause for low blood glucose and elevated plasma insulin must be considered. Absence of hypoglycemic drugs in blood serum during an episode of low blood glucose should be demonstrated before considering pancreatic exploration for suspected insulinoma.

CPT Codes

80377

Contacts

Last Updated

12/17/2025