Analyzes for hormones

Gastrin in the blood

Gastrin is formed in the G cells of the antrum of the stomach and is synthesized in small quantities in the mucous membrane of the small intestine. The main forms of gastrin (G) in blood plasma are G-34 (large gastrin, with a half-life of 42 min), G-17 (small gastrin, with a half-life of 5 min) and G-14 (minigastrin, with a half-life of 5 min).

Blood glucagon

Glucagon is a polypeptide consisting of 29 amino acid residues. It has a short half-life (several minutes) and is a functional antagonist of insulin. Glucagon is predominantly produced by α-cells of the pancreas and duodenum, but secretion by ectopic cells in the bronchi and kidneys is possible.

Serum C-peptide

C-peptide is a fragment of the proinsulin molecule, the cleavage of which results in the formation of insulin. Insulin and C-peptide are secreted into the blood in equimolar quantities. The half-life of C-peptide in the blood is longer than that of insulin, so the C-peptide/insulin ratio is 5:1.

Serum Proinsulin

One of the causes of diabetes mellitus development may be a disorder of insulin secretion from beta cells into the blood. To diagnose disorders of insulin secretion into the blood, proinsulin and C-peptide are determined. Changes in proinsulin concentrations in various forms of diabetes mellitus.

Serum insulin

Insulin is a polypeptide, the monomeric form of which consists of two chains: A (of 21 amino acids) and B (of 30 amino acids). Insulin is formed as a product of proteolytic cleavage of the precursor of insulin, called proinsulin.

Homovanilinic acid in urine

Homovanillic acid (beta-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) is the main end product of dopamine and norepinephrine metabolism, formed as a result of oxymethylation and oxidative deamination of these catecholamines.

Vanillylmindic acid in the urine

Normally, of the total amount of catecholamines secreted by the adrenal glands during the day, only approximately 1% is excreted in the urine unchanged (adrenaline 0.36-1.65%, noradrenaline 1.5-3.3%), while in the form of vanillylmandelic acid - up to 75%. From a clinical point of view, the determination of vanillylmandelic acid in the urine is especially helpful in the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma and neuroblastoma.

Total normetanephrines in urine

Total normetanephrines are intermediate products of norepinephrine metabolism. They are determined for the purpose of pheochromocytoma diagnostics. Unlike other products of catecholamine metabolism, the content of normetanephrines in urine is not affected by antihypertensive drugs.

Total metanephrines in the urine

Total metanephrines are intermediate products of adrenaline metabolism. 55% of adrenaline metabolism products are excreted in urine in the form of metanephrine. A significant increase in the content of metanephrines in urine is detected in patients with pheochromocytoma, neuroblastoma (in children), ganglioneuroma.

Adrenaline and noradrenaline in urine

With normal renal function, the study of urinary catecholamine excretion is considered an adequate method for assessing the state of the sympathoadrenal system. Urine is collected for 24 hours. Before collecting urine for catecholamine testing, certain foods should be excluded from the diet: bananas, pineapples, cheese, strong tea, and foods containing vanillin.