Cerebrospinal Fluid Brain Insulin Concentration (Mass Concentration)
This test measures the amount of insulin found in your cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord). It may be used to assess insulin levels in the central nervous system, particularly in conditions like brain tumors or metabolic disorders.
["This test helps evaluate how insulin behaves in your brain’s environment, which can be important for diagnosing or monitoring certain neurological or metabolic conditions."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 104869-3
- Short code
- CT Brain in Surg
- Synonyms
- CT Brain in Surg
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- ct
- 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 This Test Might Be Ordered
Your doctor may recommend this test if you have symptoms or conditions that suggest abnormal insulin activity in the brain, such as unexplained neurological symptoms, brain tumors, or metabolic disorders like diabetes that affect the central nervous system. It could also be part of a broader evaluation for conditions like brain edema, stroke, or certain genetic metabolic diseases.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is typically required. You may have a small needle inserted into your back to collect a sample of cerebrospinal fluid, usually through a procedure called a lumbar puncture. This is generally done in a hospital setting and may cause mild discomfort.
What the Test Results Mean
Results are interpreted by your healthcare provider based on your medical history, symptoms, and other test results. Elevated or abnormal levels might indicate conditions affecting insulin metabolism in the brain, while normal levels may help rule out certain neurological or metabolic issues.
Common Conditions Monitored or Diagnosed
This test may be used to investigate or monitor conditions such as brain tumors (e.g., gliomas), metabolic encephalopathies, or rare genetic disorders that involve abnormal insulin signaling in the central nervous system. It can also help assess the impact of insulin therapy on brain function in certain cases.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Abnormal insulin levels in cerebrospinal fluid can provide critical clues about neurological or metabolic disorders that may not be detected by blood tests alone. For example, high insulin levels might suggest insulinoma (a rare tumor producing excess insulin) or other conditions causing abnormal insulin release in the brain. Low or absent levels could indicate metabolic disturbances or central nervous system dysfunction related to insulin resistance or deficiency.
Short name
Brain Insulin in CSF
Frequently asked questions
How is cerebrospinal fluid collected for this test?
Is this test painful?
Can I eat or drink before this test?
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