Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide (Plasma GI Tube)

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1232101, Beaker: VIP, Quest: 13986

Department

Send Outs

Instructions

• The patient must be fasting 10-12 hours prior to specimen collection.
• This test should not be requested on patients who have recently received radioactive material.
• Patient should not be on any antacid medication or medications that affect intestinal motility for at least 48 hours prior to collection.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One Lavender-top EDTA tube.

Send specimen for processing immediately after collection.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Critical frozen. Centrifuge to separate plasma from cells. Transfer plasma to a plastic transport tube and freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below) immediately.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 1.0 mL plasma, frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 0.55 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Gross hemolysis. 
• Grossly lipemic. 
• Grossly icteric.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Critical frozen. Centrifuge to separate plasma from cells. Transfer plasma to a plastic transport tube and freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below) immediately.

Transport: 1.0 mL plasma, frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 0.55 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): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 6 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

Varies.
Results available in 5-10 days.

Reference Range

<36 pg/mL

Test Methodology

Direct Enzyme Immunoassay / Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay

Interpretation

By report.

Clinical Utility

Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (Plasma/GI Tube) - Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is a 28 amino acid multifunctional peptide that is involved in gastrointestinal, vasodilator, and neuroendocrine functions. VIP is derived from larger pro-molecules that often exhibit the same or greater immunogenicity than the native VIP. It is structurally related to phim, glucagon, secretin, gastric inhibitory polypeptide, corticotropin releasing factor and growth hormone-releasing hormone. VIP stimulates pituitary release of prolactin, growth hormone and ACTH; Stimulates luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, serotonin, gastric somatostatin, steroids and renin. VIP inhibits the release of gastrin, hypothalamic somatostatin, and histamine. VIP release is stimulated by cholinergic agonists, atropine, serotonin, prostaglandins e1 and d2, and nerve growth factor. VIP actions are inhibited by corticosteroids, dopamine and opiate agonists. Elevated levels of VIP are found in patients with vipomas, hepatic cirrhosis, and the verner-morrison's (watery diarrhea) syndrome. Decreased levels are found in cystic fibrosis.

CPT Codes

84586

Contacts

Last Updated

12/17/2025