Glucagon |
| Definition: |
| A blood test that measures the amount of glucagon in the blood. |
| How the test is performed: |
| Adult or child: Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and a tourniquet (an elastic band) or blood pressure cuff is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and restrict blood flow through the vein. This causes veins below the tourniquet to distend (fill with blood). A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the tourniquet is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding. Infant or young child: The area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding. Radioimmunoassay (RIA) is a specific laboratory technique. |
| How to prepare for the test: |
| Adults: There is no special preparation. Infants and children: The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experience, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:
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| How the test will feel: |
| When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing. |
| Why the test is performed: |
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Glucagon levels may be measured in persons with mild diabetes, weight loss and a particular skin rash (necrolytic migratory erythema). In a rare syndrome, a pancreatic tumor can produce excess glucagon. |
| Normal Values: |
| The normal range is 50 to 100 pg/ml. Note: pg/ml = picograms per milliliter |
| What abnormal results mean: |
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Abnormal glucagon levels may indicate:
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| What the risks are: |
| Special considerations: |
| Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others. |
Reviewed By: Mary D. Ruppe, M.D., Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network
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