What info can I extract from these results?

[ChrisM]

Hi

I recently had my first C peptide test, which was 1115 pmol/L, and the HbA1c taken on the same day was 5.5%

I take from this that I am still producing a lot of insulin myself which, with mild exercise and decreasing quantities of NovoMix, is keeping my glucose down, despite eating a lot, which all sounds good.

But I have just read a few articles on C peptide which suggest that this relatively high level could also indicate kidney trouble or insulinoma.

How high is 1115 pmol/L for C peptide, particularly for diabetics? Should I and/or my GP/consultant be concerned?

 

[ukjohn]

Chris.. As I understand it a c-peptide test is normally used to check if someone is type1 or type2 by the amount of insulin in the blood stream. insulinoma suggests your pancreas is producing lots of insulin and therefor will produce a high reading, it can show the doctor if they can reduce the insulin that you take, or maybe go to diet and exercise only. That is in laymans terms and I might be completely wrong 🙂 As regards to kidneys, I was told by my consultant when I was in hospital that I only had 52% kidney function, but as my sugars were brought under control so my kidneys improved..

John.

 

[Mark T]

I did read this description a while back: http://diabetesupdate.blogspot.com/2008/09/what-does-that-c-peptide-test-result.html

I believe that it means you are producing lots of insulin.

 

[trophywench]

Mmmmm. But if it's all Phase 2 insulin and your Phase 1 is 'broken' then your Phase 2 is already on catch-up when it kicks in, isn't it? Ergo it has to produce more to do both what should be P1's job, then whatever to do it's own. Sometimes it gets completely confused and forgets to switch itself off. So it's possible to have far too high a level of C-pep, ie too MUCH insulin.

I think ......

Found a website with a reference range

http://i-base.info/qa/faq/laboratory-test-results

C peptide 0.17-0.66 nmol/liter (US - 0.5-2.0 ng/ml)

so in pmol that appears to be 17 - 66

In which case yours isn't high at all, and I am now very confused .......