Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood
- Fasting: Fasting for 10-12 hours is required
- Turnaround: 7-13 business days. May take longer based on weather, holidays, or lab delays.
What This Test Measures
This test measures the amount of glucagon, a hormone made by your pancreas, in your blood. Glucagon works to raise blood sugar by signaling the liver to break down stored glycogen into glucose. This is a single fasting blood draw that reflects your glucagon level at the time of collection, not an ongoing or long-term measure of glucose control.
The result tells you whether your glucagon concentration falls within, above, or below the expected range. It does not directly measure your blood glucose, insulin, or any other hormone. Because glucagon works in balance with other factors in glucose regulation, this test looks specifically at glucagon itself.
Benefits
- Measures glucagon, a key hormone in blood sugar regulation
- Uses a simple blood draw, no glucose challenge needed
- Can help evaluate unexplained symptoms related to glucagon levels
- Provides information relevant to rare pancreatic hormone conditions
- Offers a starting point for further evaluation with your provider
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals with a healthcare provider recommendation to check glucagon levels
- People experiencing unexplained weight loss along with other symptoms
- Individuals with a skin rash known as necrolytic migratory erythema
- People being evaluated for mild diabetes symptoms
- Individuals whose provider is considering a rare glucagon-secreting pancreatic tumor
How It Works
- Order Your Test Online
- Visit a Local Lab
- Get Results Online
FAQ
1. Do I need to fast or prepare for this test?
Yes, fasting for 10-12 hours is required before your blood draw. Plan your appointment for the morning if possible so the fasting window falls overnight.
2. How quickly will I get results?
Results are typically available in 7 to 13 days. Weather, holidays, or lab processing delays can occasionally extend this timeframe.
3. What can my results tell me?
A glucagon level outside the expected range may point toward an issue with how your body regulates blood sugar through this hormone. Elevated levels are sometimes associated with a rare pancreatic tumor called glucagonoma, while low levels may relate to other metabolic factors. This single measurement offers one piece of information rather than a full picture of glucose regulation.
4. What factors can affect my results?
Not fasting for the required 10-12 hours before your draw can affect the accuracy of your glucagon level. Since this is a single blood sample, the timing of your draw relative to meals matters for a reliable result.
5. How do I interpret the results?
Glucagon results are best understood alongside your symptoms, medical history, and any other relevant lab findings, since this hormone works in coordination with insulin and other factors in blood sugar regulation. A result outside the expected range does not by itself identify a specific cause or condition. Discuss your results with a qualified healthcare provider who can interpret them in the context of your overall health.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
6. What should I do if my results are abnormal?
Share an abnormal result with your healthcare provider so they can review it alongside your symptoms and history. Additional evaluation or testing may be considered if your provider determines it's appropriate, but this decision should be made together with a qualified professional.
Pre-test preparation
Fasting for 10-12 hours is required before this blood draw.
