Test Code GLUCG Glucagon, Plasma
Reporting Name
Glucagon, PUseful For
Diagnosis and follow-up of glucagonomas and other glucagon-producing tumors
Assessing diabetic patients with problematic hyper- or hypoglycemic episodes (extremely limited utility)
Performing Laboratory

Specimen Type
Plasma EDTASpecimen Required
Patient Preparation: Fasting (8 hours)
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 2 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Pre-chill tube at 4° C before collecting the specimen.
2. Draw into the pre-chilled tube and process as follows:
a. Chill filled tube in wet ice for 10 minutes.
b. Centrifuge in a refrigerated centrifuge or in a pre-chilled centrifuge carrier.
c. Immediately after centrifugation, aliquot plasma into a plastic vial, and freeze.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.45 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Plasma EDTA | Frozen | 90 days |
Reference Values
≤6 hours: 100-650 pg/mL
1-2 days: 70-450 pg/mL
2-4 days: 100-650 pg/mL
4-14 days: declining gradually to adult levels
>14 days: ≤80 pg/mL (range based on 95% confidence limits)
Glucagon levels are inversely related to blood glucose levels at all ages. This is particularly pronounced at birth and shortly thereafter, until regular feeding patterns are established. This explains the higher levels immediately after birth, which then first fall as the glucagon release mobilizes the infant's glucose stores, then rise again as stores are depleted, finally normalizing towards adult levels as regular feeding patterns are established.
For SI unit Reference Values, see www.mayocliniclabs.com/order-tests/si-unit-conversion.html
Day(s) Performed
Tuesday, Thursday
Test Classification
This test was developed, and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
82943
LOINC Code Information
Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
GLP | Glucagon, P | 2338-2 |
Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
9358 | Glucagon, P | 2338-2 |
Clinical Reference
1. Tomassetti P, Migliori M, Lalli S, Campana D, Tomassetti V, Corinaldesi R: Epidemiology, clinical features and diagnosis of gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumours. Ann Oncol. 2001;12 Suppl 2:S95-99
2. Jhiang G, Zhang BB: Glucagon and regulation of glucose metabolism. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2003 Apr;284(4):E671-E678
3. van Beek AP, de Haas ERM, van Vloten WA, Lips CJM, Roijers JFM, Canninga-van Dijk MR: The glucagonoma syndrome and necrolytic migratory erythema: a clinical review. Eur J Endocrinol. 2004 Nov;151(5):531-537
4. Cruz-Bautista I, Lerman I, Perez-Enriquez B, et al: Diagnostic challenge of glucagonoma: case report and literature review. Endocr Pract. 2006 Jul-Aug;12(4):422-426
5. Falconi M, Eriksson B, Kaltsas G, et al: ENETS Consensus guidelines update for the management of patients with functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Neuroendocrinology. 2016;103(2):2153-2171
Method Description
Big plasma glucagon, which is considered to be biologically inactive, is extracted using ethanol and removed prior to assay of the specimen. Following ethanol extraction, glucagon reacts with an anti-glucagon antibody that is attached to magnetic beads. After incubation and washing, a second detection antibody is added and attaches to any bead-bound glucagon, forming a sandwich assay. A streptavidin-phycoerythrin (SPE) tag binds to the glucagon-antibody complex. Laser-based fluorescent analysis of the resulting glucagon-antibody-SPE complex is performed on the Luminex 200 instrument.(Package insert: Human Glucagon Magnetic Bead Kit. Millipore Sigma; Rev. 12/26/2018) Big plasma glucagon, which is considered to be biologically inactive, is extracted using ethanol and removed prior to assay of the specimen. Following ethanol extraction, glucagon reacts with an anti-glucagon antibody that is attached to magnetic beads. After incubation and washing, a second detection antibody is added and attaches to any bead-bound glucagon, forming a sandwich assay. A streptavidin-phycoerythrin (SPE) tag binds to the glucagon-antibody complex. Laser-based fluorescent analysis of the resulting glucagon-antibody-SPE complex is performed on the Luminex 200 instrument.(Package insert: Human Glucagon Magnetic Bead Kit. Millipore Sigma; Rev. 12/26/2018)
Report Available
3 to 7 daysReject Due To
Gross hemolysis | Reject |
Gross lipemia | OK |
Gross icterus | OK |
Method Name
Immunoassay
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Oncology Test Request (T729) with the specimen.