Insulin, Intact, LC/MS/MS

93103

0.5 mL serum

0.3 mL

Collect blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture.
Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation.

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Room temperature: 24 hours
Refrigerated: 28 days
Frozen: 28 days

Hemolysis

Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: 4-6 days

≤16 uIU/mL

Insulin is a key hormone involved in the control of blood glucose and regulation of fatty acid metabolism. Insulin measurement is primarily used to evaluate the cause of hypoglycemia. Inappropriately elevated insulin in blood (hyperinsulinemia) is associated with hypoglycemia(1) or in disorders linked to hyperglycemia, such as metabolic syndrome(2). Causes of hyperinsulinemia include insulinoma, insulin resistance, noninsulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemia syndrome, insulin antibodies, surreptitious insulin administration or other drug-induced hyperinsulinism (e.g., sulfonyl urea), incretin effects after bariatric surgery, and congenital hyperinsulinism. Insulin (test code 561) immunoassay can be used to evaluate the etiology of hypo- or hyperglycemia but is not equivalent to the LC/MS/MS test. Combined with LC/MS/MS measurement of C-peptide in the Cardio IQ Insulin Resistance Panel with Score (test code 36509), the assay can also help evaluate the likelihood that an individual has clinically significant insulin resistance or help in differential diagnosis (e.g., insulinoma versus exogenous insulin administration(3). The results of this test should be interpreted in the context of pertinent clinical history and physical examination findings.

References
1. Cryer PE, Axelrod L, Grossman AB, et al. Evaluation and management of adult hypoglycemic disorders: an Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2009;94(3):709-728. doi:10.1210/jc.2008-1410
2. Kelly CT, Mansoor J, Dohm GL, et al. Hyperinsulinemic syndrome: the metabolic syndrome is broader than you think. Surgery. 2014;156(2):405-411. doi:10.1016/j.surg.2014.04.028
3. Abbasi F, Shiffman D, Tong CH, et al. Insulin resistance probability scores for apparently healthy individuals. J Endocr Soc. 2018;2(9):1050-1057. doi:10.1210/js.2018-00107