Proinsulin-13397

Test info

  
Proinsulin
  
13397
  
LAB13397
  
PROINSULIN

Specimen

  

Baseline proinsulin levels should be collected after a 12-hour fast

Fasting for a blood test

  
Serum
  
  
0.6 mL
  
0.4 mL
Submission of the minimum volume does not allow for repeat testing
  

Immediately following collection, thoroughly mix sample by gently inverting 5 times

  
  1. Allow sample to clot for a minimum of 30 minutes
  2. Spin within two (2) hours of sample collection
  3. Transfer serum to a Screw-cap polypropylene frozen transport vial/tube - 4mL (LabCorp), labelled as serum
  4. Freeze
  
  
  1. Allow sample to clot 
  2. Spin 
  3. Transfer serum to a Screw-cap polypropylene frozen transport vial/tube - 4mL (LabCorp), labelled as serum, within two (2) hours of sample collection
  4. Freeze
  

Frozen (strict) - 12 days

Freeze/thaw cycles - stable x3

Refrigerated - NO

Ambient - NO

  
  • Non-frozen specimen
  • Non-serum specimen
  • Gross hemolysis
  • Gross lipemia

Performance

  
LabCorp Burlington (140533): R-LC
  
Mo, We, Fr
  
5 days
  

Enzyme immunoassay (EIA)

Clinical and Interpretive info

  

0.0 - 10.0 pmol/L

  

Proinsulin is synthesized in the pancreatic beta cells as a 9390 mw polypeptide of 86 amino acids.1-3 Proinsulin is subsequently cleaved enzymatically, releasing insulin into the circulation along with a residual 3000 mw fragment called C-peptide, so-named because it connects the A and B chains of insulin within the proinsulin molecule.

Proinsulin, which has relatively low biological activity (approximately 10% of insulin potency), is the major storage form of insulin. Normally, only small amounts (∼3% of the amount of insulin, on a molar basis) of proinsulin enter the circulation. Because the hepatic clearance of proinsulin is only 25% of insulin clearance, the half-life of proinsulin is two- to threefold longer and concentrations in the fasting state are approximately 10% to 15% of insulin concentrations.

High proinsulin concentrations have been associated with benign or malignant β-cell tumors of the pancreas4 and endocrine pancreatic tumors associated with MEN-1.5 Elevated proinsulin levels have been observed in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance even in the absence of abnormal glucose or C-peptide levels.6 Elevated proinsulin levels have been found to be a positive risk factor for the development on NIDDM.7,8 Most patients with β-cell tumors have increased insulin, C-peptide, and proinsulin concentrations, but occasionally only proinsulin is elevated. Despite its low biological activity, proinsulin may be increased sufficiently to produce hypoglycemia.9 In addition, a rare form of familial hyperproinsulinemia, due to impaired conversion to insulin, has been described. Increased proinsulin concentrations may also be detected in patients with chronic renal failure, cirrhosis, or hyperthyroidism.

Billing

  
84206
  
Result 27882-0

Tracking

  
04/11/2019
  
04/11/2022
  
03/31/2022