Code Details for Lab and Clinical Services
ISI Order Code: AMY
Clinical Significance of Amylin
Amylin, also known as islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), is a 37-amino-acid peptide hormone co-secreted with insulin by pancreatic β-cells in response to nutrient intake, particularly glucose. It plays a crucial role in glycemic regulation by complementing insulin’s actions. Amylin slows gastric emptying, suppresses postprandial glucagon secretion, and promotes satiety via its action on the area postrema and other regions of the brainstem. These effects help reduce the rate of glucose appearance in the bloodstream after meals, contributing to smoother postprandial glucose control.
Plasma amylin measurement has clinical value in assessing β-cell function, particularly in diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, amylin is typically absent due to β-cell loss, while in type 2 diabetes, levels may be elevated early but decline with disease progression. Low amylin, alongside low C-peptide, supports type 1 diabetes diagnosis. Elevated amylin can also occur in insulinomas due to co-secretion with insulin. Additionally, amylin’s role in islet amyloid formation links it to β-cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes. Research also explores its involvement in Alzheimer’s disease, highlighting its potential as a biomarker for metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders.
Reference Range, Procedure & Expected Results
Reference Range:
16 – 78 pg/mL
Procedure:
Amylin is measured by an immunoassay.
Expected Turnaround Time:
10 Business Days
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of receipt of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering facility.Report: Sample Report
Patient Preparation Guidelines
The patient should preferably fast for 8 to 10 hours prior to specimen collection. If possible, medications that affect amylin secretion—such as insulin or GLP-1 receptor agonists—should be withheld. Medication adjustments should only be made in consultation with the treating physician.
Specimen Collection:
3mL EDTA plasma should be collected and separated as soon as possible. Freeze EDTA plasma immediately after separation. Minimum specimen size is 1.0 mL
Rejection Criteria:
- Gross hemolysis/lipemia/icteric
Shipping and Handling Instructions for Amylin Assay Specimens
- Shipping Instructions:
Ship specimens frozen in dry ice.
Research & Scientific References
- 1.Banks, W. A., Kastin, A. J., & Maness, L. M. (1995). Permeability of the blood-brain barrier to amylin. Life Sciences, 57(22), 1993–2001. https://doi.org/10.1016/0024-3205(95)02020-X
- 2. Hay, D. L., Chen, S., Lutz, T. A., Parkes, D. G., & Roth, J. D. (2015). Amylin: Pharmacology, physiology, and clinical potential. Pharmacological Reviews, 67(3), 564–600. https://doi.org/10.1124/pr.114.009290
- 3. Kahn, S. E., Andrikopoulos, S., & Verchere, C. B. (1999). Islet amyloid: A long-recognized but underappreciated pathological feature of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes, 48(2), 241–253. https://doi.org/10.2337/diabetes.48.2.241
- 4. Westermark, P., Andersson, A., & Westermark, G. T. (2011). Islet amyloid polypeptide, islet amyloid, and diabetes mellitus. Physiological Reviews, 91(3), 795–826. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00042.2009
- 5. Young, A. A. (2005). Amylin’s physiology and its role in diabetes. Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Obesity, 12(2), 157–162. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.med.0000162312.88516.6e