When is a glucagon stimulation test done?

Glucagon stimulation test plays an important role in detecting abnormalities of hormones in the patient's body. Indication and testing procedures will be performed in accordance with technical requirements.

Glucagon is a hormone secreted by the alpha cells of the pancreas. The function of glucagon is to promote the conversion of glycogen to glucose, which increases blood glucose levels. The body's secretion of glucagon is inhibited by other pancreatic hormones such as insulin, somatostatin.
The glucagon stimulation test is a test doctors recommend to patients to check if the body is producing enough cortisol - the natural steroid hormone (and growth hormone).

The hormone cortisol is a hormone that helps the body cope with stress, illness, regulate the immune system, blood pressure and blood sugar levels. This hormone is produced by the adrenal glands and is monitored by the pituitary gland. Low levels of cortisol can be a warning sign of problems with the pituitary and adrenal glands.
In addition, the pituitary gland also produces growth hormone - the hormone responsible for monitoring growth and metabolism in children. Growth hormone is also produced in adulthood and plays a role in maintaining muscle and bone mass. At the same time, this hormone also controls energy levels, memory and feelings of joy and happiness.
The glucagon stimulation test is done to detect abnormal changes in hormones in the body.

3.1 Precautionary notes Test value is unreliable in patients with diabetes, adrenal myeloma, endocrine myeloma, fasting > 48 hours or glycogen storage disease; If the 9 am cortisol is < 100 nmol/l, no test is needed; Hydrocortisone replacement therapy should not be interrupted; The patient must be healthy; Make sure the patient has a completely normal thyroid; Common side effects are nausea, rarely vomiting; There may be hypersensitivity reactions such as skin itching, rash, difficulty breathing, ... to the agents used in the test.

3.2 Preparations Discontinue estrogen therapy 6 weeks prior to the test to avoid affecting the results obtained; If you are stopping birth control pills, you need to use an alternative method of contraception if you still want to avoid pregnancy; Talk to your doctor about using or stopping steroids during the test; Fasting from midnight before the test but can drink water. 3.3 Procedure The doctor explains the test and asks the patient to complete the necessary procedures; The patient has an electrocardiogram; Place the catheter used to collect blood and vein samples in the arm. The blood sample will be used to measure the levels of growth hormone, cortisol and glucose in the blood; Inject the hormone glucagon into the gluteal muscle. Glucagon increases blood sugar levels, stimulates insulin production, causes the body to become stressed, stimulates growth hormone and cortisol production; Take blood samples to measure growth hormone, glucose and cortisol every half hour for 3 hours; Complete the test, remove the catheter and eat normally to resuscitate; The patient stayed in the ward for 1 hour after the test to monitor health: blood pressure, pulse, temperature.

3.4 Significance of glucagon stimulation test index Adequate cortisol response: Increase from 170 nmol/l - 550 nmol/l; Adequate growth hormone response: Increase to 7μg/l. If the patient is hypothyroid or obese, these indicators may not be reached. Also, depending on the hospital, the normal range of a glucagon stimulation test may also vary.
The glucagon stimulation test plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of a number of diseases. When performing this test, the patient needs to cooperate well with the doctor so that the technical process goes smoothly without any complications.
Vinmec International General Hospital now has a screening package for diabetes and dyslipidemia which is performed by a team of highly qualified and experienced doctors with the support of modern technological equipment, It will help patients accurately detect diabetes and dyslipidemia at an early stage, thereby having an appropriate treatment regimen.

To register for examination and treatment at Vinmec International General Hospital, you can contact Vinmec Health System nationwide, or register online HERE
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