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Glucagon Blood Test
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/glucagon-blood-test/

Glucagon Blood Test

What is a glucagon blood test?

This test measures the amount of glucagon in your blood. Glucagon is a hormone made by your pancreas. Hormones are chemical messengers in your bloodstream that control the actions of certain cells or organs. Glucagon works with other hormones, like insulin, to help maintain your body's level of blood glucose, also called blood sugar. Glucagon increases your blood glucose levels, while insulin decreases your blood glucose levels.

Glucose is your body's main source of energy. It comes from the food you eat. Your body breaks down most of that food into glucose and releases it into your bloodstream. This causes your blood glucose levels to go up, and less glucagon is released.

And when your blood glucose levels drop, your pancreas releases glucagon into the bloodstream. But if your pancreas doesn't release the right amount of glucagon, it can lead to serious health problems.

Other names: glucagon blood test, hypoglycemia-glucagon test, glucagon-plasma

What is it used for?

A glucagon test is most often used to help diagnose the following conditions:

  • Hypoglycemia, also called low blood glucose, occurs when the level of glucose in your blood drops below what is healthy for you. Severe hypoglycemia can be deadly if it's not treated. The condition often affects people with diabetes. It can happen when your diabetes medicines and/or food intake are not at the proper levels.
  • Pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas. It can be acute (sudden and short term) or chronic (long term). The systoms of acute pancreatitis are severe and may require immediate medical attention. Chronic pancreatitis gets worse over time and can lead to permanent damage. It symptoms may not appear until there are complications.
  • Glucagonoma, a rare tumor of the pancreas. It is usually cancerous.

The test is also sometimes used to monitor people with diabetes.

Why do I need a glucagon blood test?

You may need this test if you have symptoms of hypoglycemia or a pancreatic tumor.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia can include:

  • Fast or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
  • Tingling in the lips, tongue, or cheeks
  • Anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Sweating
  • Blurred vision
  • Fatigue
  • Pale skin
  • Hunger

Symptoms of a pancreatic tumor can include:

  • A rash on the face, stomach, or legs
  • Diarrhea
  • Weight loss
  • Sores in the mouth or tongue

What happens during a glucagon blood test?

A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.

Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?

You may need to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before the test.

Are there any risks to the test?

There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.

What do the results mean?

If your glucagon levels were not in the normal range, it may be a sign of one of the following conditions:

  • Hypoglycemia
  • Diabetes
  • Acute or chronic pancreatitis
  • Glucagonoma (pancreatic tumor)

If you have questions about your results, talk to your health care provider.

Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.

Is there anything else I need to know about a glucagon blood test?

A glucagon blood test and a glucagon stimulation test are often called glucagon tests, but they are not the same thing. A glucagon blood test is used to check conditions related to glucose levels, while a glucagon stimulation test checks for problems with growth hormones. It is most often used for infants and children.

References

  1. American Diabetes Association [Internet]. Arlington (VA): American Diabetes Association; c1995-2024. Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar); [cited 2024 May 16]; [about 9 screens]. Available from: https://diabetes.org/healthy-living/medication-treatments/blood-glucose-testing-and-control/hypoglycemia
  2. Cleveland Clinic: Health Library: Diagnostics & Testing [Internet]. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; c2024. Blood Tests; [reviewed 2022 Dec 06; cited 2024 May 16]; [about 16 screens]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/24508-blood-tests
  3. Cleveland Clinic: Health Library: Diagnostics & Testing [Internet]. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; c2024. Glucagon; [reviewed 2022 Jan 3; cited 2024 May 16]; [about 9 screens]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22283-glucagon
  4. Hinkle J, Cheever K. Brunner & Suddarth's Handbook of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. 2nd Ed, Kindle. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; c2014. Glucagon, Plasma; p. 316.
  5. Hormone Health Network [Internet]. Endocrine Society; c2024. Pancreas Hormones [updated 2022 Jan 24; cited 2024 May 16]; [about 7 screens]. Available from: https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/hormones-and-endocrine-function/pancreas-hormones
  6. Labcorp [Internet]. Burlington (NC): Laboratory Corporation of America(r) Holdings; c2024. Patient Test Information: Glucagon, Plasma; [cited 2024 May 16]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.labcorp.com/tests/004622/glucagon-plasma
  7. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1998-2024. Hypoglycemia: Symptoms and causes; [cited 2024 May 16]; [about 8 screens]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypoglycemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20373685
  8. Mayo Clinic Laboratories [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1995-2024. Test ID: GLP: Glucagon, Plasma: Clinical and Interpretive; [cited 2024 May 16]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/9358
  9. Merck Manual Consumer Version [Internet]. Kenilworth (NJ): Merck & Co., Inc.; c2024. Hypoglycemia; [reviewed 2023 Oct; cited 2024 May 16]; [about 6 screens]. Available from: https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/hormonal-and-metabolic-disorders/diabetes-mellitus-dm-and-disorders-of-blood-sugar-metabolism/hypoglycemia
  10. Morris CH, Baker J. Glucagon. [Updated 2024 Feb 28; cited 2024 May 16]; [about 5 screens]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559195/
  11. National Cancer Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (Islet Cell Tumors) Treatment (PDQ(r))-Patient Version; [updated 2022 Oct 7; cited 2024 May 16]; [about 22 screens]. Available from: https://www.cancer.gov/types/pancreatic/patient/pnet-treatment-pdq
  12. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Symptoms and Causes of Pancreatitis; 2017 Nov [cited 2024 May 16]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/pancreatitis/symptoms-causes
  13. Nemours KidsHealth [Internet]. Jacksonville (FL): The Nemours Foundation; c1995-2024. Getting a Blood Test; [reviewed 2021 Sep; cited 2024 May 16]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/blood-tests.html
  14. Rix I, Nexøe-Larsen C, Bergmann NC, et al. Glucagon Physiology. [Updated 2019 Jul 16]. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Blackman MR, et al., editors. Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279127/
  15. Venugopal SK, Sankar P, Jialal I. Physiology, Glucagon. [Updated 2023 Mar 6; cited 2024 May 16]; [about 4 screens]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537082/
  16. Yuen KC. Glucagon stimulation testing in assessing for adult growth hormone deficiency: current status and future perspectives. ISRN Endocrinol. 2011; 2011:608056. doi: 10.5402/2011/608056. Epub 2011 Aug 11. [cited 2024 May 16]; [about 6 screens]. PMID: 22363884; PMCID: PMC3262627.

Related Health Topics

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  • Hypoglycemia
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  • Pancreatitis

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The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

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