The site is temporarily down due to maintenance. Sorry for the inconvenience.

The site is temporarily down due to maintenance. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Quality & Accuracy

Experience

The latest technologies

Speed ​​&
Credibility

C Peptide Laboratory research

Known as: C peptide | Laboratory research
SKU: 1081

38.70

Study material: Venous blood
Response time (working day): 1-2
The test is done on an empty stomach: Yes
Home call service: Yes
Country: Georgia

General Information

C-peptide Is a stable fragment of endogenously produced proinsulin that is "cleaved" from it during insulin production. It consists of 31 amino acid residues, is located between the alpha and beta chains of proinsulin and is biologically inactive. Once the insulin molecule is synthesized in the pancreatic beta cells, the C-peptide is released into the bloodstream along with insulin. Insulin is inactive before the C-peptide is removed, which allows the pancreas to store insulin as a prohormone. It should be noted that although the number of C-peptide and insulin molecules produced during secretion is the same, the equilibrium concentration of C-peptide in the blood is approximately 5 times the molar concentration of insulin, which is related to the different rate of their elimination from the blood.

When should we take the test?

  • Differential diagnostics of type 1 and type 2 diabetes;
  • Differential diagnostics of hypoglycemic condition (diagnostics of insulinoma, suspected artificial hypoglycemia);
  • Choose tactics for treating diabetes;
  • Examination of women with polycystic ovary syndrome;
  • Evaluation of residual β-cell function before discontinuation of insulin therapy;
  • Assessment of insulin secretion in liver disease;
  • Monitoring after removal of the pancreas.

Possible interpretation of the results

  • Type 2 diabetes;
  • Hypoglycemia when taking oral hypoglycemic drugs (sulfonylureas);
  • Insulinoma;
  • Antibodies to insulin;
  • Somatotropinoma;
  • Tumors of the APUD system;
  • Kidney failure.

C-peptide concentration decreases:

  • Type 1 diabetes;
  • Alcoholic hypoglycemia;
  • Stressful situation;
  • Antibodies to insulin receptors (in type 2 diabetes);
  • Insulin therapy (normal reaction of the pancreas in response to exogenous insulin administration).

Additional information

Determining the level of C-peptide allows us to assess the level of insulin secretion. C-peptide determination has a number of advantages over insulin determination: The half-life of C-peptide in the blood is longer than that of insulin, so C-peptide levels are more stable than insulin concentrations. Determination of C-peptide makes it possible to assess insulin secretion even when taking exogenous insulin, as well as in the presence of autoantibodies to insulin, which is important in the examination of patients with type 1 diabetes.

C-peptide levels change according to changes in endogenous insulin concentration. The ratio of these parameters may change in the setting of liver and kidney disease because insulin is metabolized primarily in the liver while C-peptide metabolism and excretion are mediated by the kidneys. Accordingly, the determination of this indicator may be the main, in case of impaired liver function, adequate interpretation of changes in insulin concentration in the blood.

Monitoring of C-peptide levels is especially important in patients after surgical treatment of insulinoma; Elevated levels of C-peptide in the blood indicate metastases or tumor recurrence.

 

Testing process

Purchase a test Submission of material

Purchase a test

Submission of material

Results Online Consult a doctor

Results Online

Consult a doctor

Laboratories
Call Now Button