C-Peptide Test

C-peptide is a product which is formed when the hormone insulin is produced and released into the body. A C-peptide is a type of blood test which is carried out to find out the quantity of insulin, your body is producing. This test helps in diagnosing the type of diabetes, the patient is suffering from or whether he is insulin resistant. The test measures the level of this peptide in the blood. Insulin helps the body to use and control the amount of sugar in the blood. Insulin allows glucose to enter into the body cells, where it is used for generating energy. The level of C-peptide in the blood can show how much insulin is being made by the pancreas. C-peptide does not affect the blood sugar level in the body. A person whose pancreas does not make any insulin (type 1 diabetes) has a low level of insulin and C-peptide. A person with type 2 diabetes can have a normal or high level of C-peptide.

Patient may be asked to do fasting for both food and water for 8 hours before having this blood test. Insulin and oral medicines used to treat type 2 diabetes can change the test results. You may be asked to stop medication before this test.

Helps in differentiating between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Find the cause of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Check to see whether a tumor of the pancreas (insulinoma) was completely removed.

The insulin C-peptide test requires a blood sample to be collected by the doctor. The blood is drawn from a vein, either from the arm or on the back of the hand. The procedure is quiet painful, but on the temporary basis. Blood sample will be collected in a test tube and sent to a lab for analysis. Normal Results A normal result ranges from 0.5 to 2.0 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). People with type 2 diabetes, obesity, and insulin resistance may have a high C-peptide level which is normal for them. What Abnormal Results Mean A low level or no level indicates that your pancreas is producing little or no insulin. A low level may be normal if you have not eaten recently. Your blood sugar and insulin levels would naturally be low then. A low level is abnormal if your blood sugar is high and your body should be making insulin at that time.