Insulin, Plasma (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography)
This test measures the amount of insulin in your blood plasma, which helps assess how your body produces and uses insulin for energy.
["Insulin levels help diagnose or monitor diabetes and other metabolic conditions."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 27863-0
- Short code
- Insulin 2.5h p chal SerPl-aCnc
- Synonyms
- Insulin 2.5h p chal SerPl-aCnc
- Category
- hormone
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 2.6
- Ref high
- 24.9
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- CPT
- 83525
- SNOMED
- 413618004
- 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 healthcare provider may order this test to check for insulin-related disorders, such as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), insulin resistance, or to evaluate how well insulin therapy is working in people with diabetes.
What Does This Test Measure?
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels. High levels might suggest conditions like insulinoma (a rare tumor) or overproduction of insulin. Low levels could indicate diabetes, poor insulin production, or other metabolic issues.
Sample Collection and Preparation
A blood sample is drawn from a vein, usually in your arm. The blood is collected in a special tube and sent to a lab for analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), a precise method to measure insulin concentration.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is needed, but you may be asked to fast for a few hours before the test if it’s part of a broader metabolic evaluation (e.g., for diabetes screening). Always follow your provider’s instructions.
Reference range
Fasting: 2.6-24.9 μIU/mLN/A
No special preparation usually required. Stay well hydrated. Inform your healthcare provider of all medications and supplements you are taking.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Abnormal insulin levels can signal serious conditions, such as hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar), hyperinsulinemia (excess insulin), or insulin resistance. This test is critical in diagnosing diabetes, evaluating insulin-producing tumors, or assessing response to diabetes medications.
Short name
Insulin (Plasma)
Frequently asked questions
What causes abnormal insulin levels?
How long does it take to get results?
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