Alternative blood test for insulin level
1 biomarker as listed by Blue Horizon Medicals.
This blood test is for C-peptide, a substance produced by the pancreas in equal proportions to insulin. It is a more stable compound than insulin, so practically it can be used to assess insulin secretion, in both normal subjects and in those who are insulin treated. Low C-peptide levels indicate decreased insulin production.
C-peptide levels can also help to differentiate between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces little or no insulin, and therefore little or no C-peptide. In type 2 diabetes, C-peptide levels will typically be normal or high, as the pancreas is working harder to overcome insulin resistance (reduced sensitivity to the effects of insulin) by producing more insulin. An insulinoma (tumour producing insulin) will also give rise to high C-peptide levels.
Often requested alongside a test for Fasting Glucose, a low level of C peptide with a normal or high Fasting Glucose level may indicate Type 1 diabetes, or longstanding Type 2 diabetes. If the Fasting Glucose level is low and the C peptide is also low, it may just indicate a lack of food intake recently or rarely Addison's disease.
Description provided by Blue Horizon Medicals.
The listing publishes a detailed description, the full biomarker list, a stated turnaround, clear collection options, the sample type; it does not state what the report looks like.
1 biomarkers, placing it in the 30th percentile of diabetes tests we track.
Requires a venous draw at a clinic; a home nurse visit is offered; results in around 7 days.
Results are reviewed by a doctor.
Trustpilot 4.2 from 395 reviews; accredited lab (UKAS ISO 15189 partner labs); trading 17+ years.
£139.25 against a median of £60.00 for the 18 similarly sized diabetes tests we track (+132%).
If you're concerned about prediabetes, weight gain, or how your body processes sugar, this test helps assess insulin resistance.
A single HbA1c blood test showing your average blood sugar level over the past 2 to 3 months, used to check for diabetes or prediabetes risk without fasting.
Baseline check for diabetes, kidney and liver, with cholesterol
An HbA1c blood test measures your average blood glucose control over the last 3 months - so you can check your overall diabetes risk.
