C-peptide (Serum) with High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) Quantification
This test measures the amount of C-peptide in your blood, a substance produced when your pancreas releases insulin. It helps assess how well your pancreas is producing insulin naturally.
["C-peptide helps diagnose and monitor conditions like diabetes and pancreatic function."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 38423-0
- Short code
- C peptide 1.5h p chal SerPl-sCnc
- Synonyms
- C peptide 1.5h p chal SerPl-sCnc
- Category
- coagulation
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 0.8
- Ref high
- 1.2
- Critical range
- — – 5 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- CPT
- 85610
- SNOMED
- 396252006
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why Is This Test Done?
Your doctor may order this test to evaluate your pancreas’s ability to produce insulin. It’s particularly useful in diagnosing type 1 diabetes, distinguishing between insulin-dependent and insulin-independent diabetes, or monitoring pancreatic health in people with diabetes or other conditions affecting insulin production.
How Is the Test Performed?
A blood sample is taken from a vein, usually in your arm. The sample is then processed and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to measure C-peptide levels accurately.
What Does the Test Result Mean?
Your results will show the concentration of C-peptide in your blood. Lower levels may indicate insufficient insulin production, while normal or elevated levels suggest your pancreas is functioning as expected. Always discuss your results with your healthcare provider.
Common Uses and Conditions
This test is often used to diagnose diabetes, especially type 1 diabetes, where the body doesn’t produce insulin. It can also help determine if insulin therapy is needed or if the pancreas is still producing some insulin.
Reference range
INR: 0.8-1.2 (warfarin: 2.0-3.0)N/A
Inform your healthcare provider if you are taking blood thinners. No special preparation required.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Clinical Significance: C-peptide is a marker of endogenous insulin production. Low levels can indicate autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells (common in type 1 diabetes), while normal or high levels suggest residual insulin production or other pancreatic conditions. It’s critical for tailoring diabetes management and assessing pancreatic health in patients with suspected insulin deficiency.
Short name
C-peptide HPLC
Frequently asked questions
What does a low C-peptide level mean?
How long does it take to get my C-peptide test results?
Can fasting affect my C-peptide test results?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy