Test Overview
Test Methodology

Immunometric Chemiluminescence

Test Usage

Evaluate for insulin producing neoplasm (islet cell tumor, insulinoma) or pancreatic islet cell hyperplasia to work up hypoglycemia, possibly, to evaluate insulin production in diabetes mellitus.

Reference Range *

Fasting level: 1 - 21 mcU/mL in conjunction with a normal serum glucose value. Insulin values obtained during a glucose tolerance test must be interpreted by a physician.

* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.

Test Limitations

Unable to distinguish endogenous insulin in patients receiving exogenous insulin. Insulin antibodies are a problem in diabetic patients, and may invalidate insulin assays on diabetic patients who have been treated with animal insulins.

Test Details
Days Set Up
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Analytic Time

8 hours

Soft Order Code
INS
MiChart Code
Infusion, Saline 1000
Synonyms
  • Immunoreactive Insulin
  • INS
  • INSULIN
  • INSULIN LEVEL
Laboratory
Chemical Pathology
Section
Special Chemistry
Specimen Requirements
Collection Instructions

Collect specimen in a green top tube from a fasting patient. Centrifuge, aliquot plasma into a plastic vial and freeze within 1 hour.

Special Handling

Fasting specimen.

Alternate Specimen
Serum is an acceptable specimen. [5/98; rev 2/02]
Normal Volume
1 mL plasma
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL plasma
Billing
CPT Code
83525
Fee Code
23360
LOINC
3695-4