Want to know more about your C-peptide levels? Before you dig deeper, we urge you to read more about why a C-peptide blood test is necessary for you or your loved ones.
Why do I need a C-peptide test?
Has your healthcare provider recommended a C-peptide Test at home or your nearest diagnostic center? If yes, here are several reasons why you might need to get your C-peptide diabetes levels checked at the earliest:
- Diagnosing type 1 diabetes: People with type 1 diabetes do not produce enough insulin because their pancreas does not produce any. A C-peptide Test can help diagnose type 1 diabetes by measuring the amount of C-peptide in the body.
- Diagnosing type 2 diabetes: People with type 2 diabetes may not produce enough insulin or may not use insulin properly. A C-peptide blood test can be used to help diagnose type 2 diabetes by measuring the amount of C-peptide in the body.
- Checking your body’s insulin production: The C-peptide Test can help determine how well your body produces insulin. If your C-peptide levels are low, it may indicate that your body is not producing enough insulin.
- Monitoring insulin production: If you have been diagnosed with diabetes and are receiving insulin treatment, your healthcare provider may use the C-peptide blood test to monitor your insulin production.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of insulin treatment: The C-peptide Test can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of insulin treatment in people with diabetes.
- Monitoring pancreatic function: The C-peptide Test can be used to monitor the pancreas function, which is the organ responsible for producing insulin.
- Diagnosing insulinoma: Insulinoma is a rare type of tumor that develops in the pancreas and produces excessive amounts of insulin. The C-peptide blood test can be used to diagnose insulinoma by measuring the C-peptide levels in the body.
How to prepare for a C-peptide blood test?
Before you undergo a C-peptide Test, you can follow the below-mentioned steps to get mentally and physically prepared.
- Your doctor may give you specific instructions on preparing for the test, such as fasting for a certain period before the test or avoiding certain medications. It is important to follow these instructions carefully.
- If you have any other medical conditions, such as diabetes or chronic kidney disease, you must inform your healthcare provider. These conditions may affect the results of the C-peptide blood test.
- Getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated in the days leading up to the C-peptide Test is essential. It can help ensure that you feel your best and that your body is functioning properly..
What happens during a C-peptide level test?
During the test, your healthcare provider will take a blood sample and send it to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory will measure the blood's C-peptide levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique and report the test results in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL).
The C-peptide blood test is usually ordered in conjunction with an insulin test to help determine the cause of high blood sugar levels. It is also sometimes used to assess the effectiveness of insulin therapy in people with diabetes.
If you’ve been asked to bring a urine sample, here’s how you can go about it:
- Don’t store the first urine of the day.
- For the next few times till 24 hours are over, keep collecting your urine sample in a hygienic container. You can get these at any medical facility.
- Store the urine sample in a cold place or refrigerate it.
- At the testing center or if you are home, collect the last urine sample before 24 hours and present it to your healthcare provider
