Service Providers for C-Peptide
C-Peptide is a substance produced in the pancreas as a byproduct when insulin is made. It is formed when proinsulin (an inactive precursor) is split into insulin and C-peptide in equal amounts. Measuring C-peptide levels in the blood can provide important information about insulin production and pancreatic function.
C-peptide testing is often used to:
Evaluate insulin production: It helps differentiate between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as type 1 diabetes typically involves little to no insulin production, while type 2 generally involves normal or elevated insulin levels.
Assess insulinoma: A tumor of the pancreas that secretes excess insulin.
Monitor insulin therapy: In people with diabetes who are on insulin therapy, C-peptide levels help determine how much insulin their pancreas is still producing.
Normal C-peptide levels typically range from 0.5 to 2.0 ng/mL, though this can vary depending on the lab.