Insulin C-peptide test
What is an Insulin C-Peptide Test?
The Insulin C-Peptide test is a laboratory test used to measure the amount of C-peptide present in a blood sample. C-Peptide is a protein fragment that is produced during the production of insulin in the pancreas. The amount of C-Peptide being secreted by the pancreas can tell a doctor a lot about how much insulin being produced.
What is C-peptide and what does it do?
C-peptide is a short chain of amino acids, which is produced when insulin is made by the beta cells in the pancreas. C-peptide helps to stabilize the insulin molecule and make it more resistant to degradation and helps the body to remove the insulin from the bloodstream, which helps to regulate blood sugar levels.
When to perform an Insulin C-peptide Test?
Insulin C-peptide tests are often ordered when diabetes is suspected in order to determine what type of diabetes is present. It can also be used to monitor a person’s response to insulin therapy and to confirm the diagnosis of diabetes in a person with symptoms of diabetes, but without elevated blood glucose levels.
Preparation for the Test
No special preparation is necessary for the Insulin C-peptide test, however it is important that the person does not eat or drink anything (not even water) for 8-12 hours before the test.
Types of Insulin C-Peptide Tests
- Insulin C-peptide test (fasting)
- Insulin C-peptide response to glucose challenge test
- Insulin C-peptide response to meal challenge test
Procedure of the Test
The procedure for an insulin C-peptide test is similar to any other blood test. A health care professional will collect a sample of the person’s blood from a vein in their arm and the sample will be sent to a laboratory for analysis.
Risks of the Test
The Insulin C-peptide test is an invasive procedure and there are some risks associated with it, but they are minimal. Some of the risks include infection, bleeding, and bruising, but these risks can be minimized by following proper procedures.
Why do we need this Test?
The Insulin C-peptide test is used to measure the amount of C-peptide present in a person’s blood. This test can be used to diagnose or monitor the progression of diabetes and to see how the person’s body is responding to insulin therapy. By measuring the level of C-peptide, a doctor can get a better understanding of how much insulin is being produced by the pancreas.