Category
SPECIAL CHEMISTRY.
Sub Category
ENDOCRINE.
Synonyms/Aliases
N/A.
Abbreviations
N/A.
Type
INDIVIDUAL TEST
5 Days
RESULTS READY/ REPORTED IN 5 WORKING DAYS.
Method
IMMUNOASSAY.
Temp
FROZEN, -20℃ (PREFERRED) OR REFRIGERATED. LIMITED STABILITY AT AMBIENT (ROOM) TEMPERATURE WHICH SHOULD BE AVOIDED.
Setup
BATCHED.
Components Parameters
NOT APPLICABLE.
PRE-ANALYTIC CONSIDERATIONS
Test Ordering Instructions
FILL OUT TEST REQUEST FORM FULLY & LEGIBLY. HISTORY REQUIRED.
Patient preparation
10-12 HOURS FASTING. FASTING MEANS THAT ONLY WATER AND PRESCRIBED MEDICATION ARE PERMITTED DURING THE FASTING PERIOD.
Sample type
SERUM.
Container/ preservative
SERUM SEPARATOR TUBE (SST/ GEL) OR PLAIN (RED TOP) VACUTAINER.
Sample volume
AT LEAST 2ML.
Rejection criteria
LABELING ISSUE (UNLABELED/ MISLABELED); MISSING REQUEST FORM; MISMATCH BETWEEN REQUEST FORM & SAMPLE DETAILS; MISSING AGE/ GENDER; WRONG SAMPLE TYPE; INSUFFICIENT SAMPLE; NON-FASTING SAMPLE.
Other Instructions
CENTRIFUGE SST (SERUM GEL TUBES) WITHIN 1-2 HOURS OF COLLECTION. CENTRIFUGE RED TOP VACUTAINERS AND ALIQUOT SERUM WITHIN 1-2 HOURS OF COLLECTION. THE SEPARATION VIAL MUST BE LABELED WITH AT LEAST 2 PATIENT IDENTIFIERS AND THE SAMPLE TYPE.
Reference intervals
AGE & GENDER APPROPRIATE VALUES ARE PROVIDED ON THE REPORT.
Clinical Utility
EVALUATION OF HYPOGLYCEMIA (E.G. SUSPECTED INSULINOMA) & INSULIN RESISTANCE. CONCURRENT GLUCOSE & C-PEPTIDE LEVELS CAN AID IN INTERPRETATION OF INSULIN LEVELS E.G. AS PART OF THE HOMA INDEX.
Test Limitations/ Confounders
IMMUNOASSAY INTERFERENCE CAN GIVE RISE TO SPURIOUS RESULTS. SUCH INTERFERENCE CAN ARISE FROM PRESENCE OF HETEROPHILE ANTIBODIES, ANTI-ANIMAL ANTIBODIES, AUTOANTIBODIES, PARAPROTEINS, BIOTIN ETC. RESULTS SHOULD ALWAYS BE CORRELATED WITH CLINICAL FINDINGS.