ISI Order Code:
5HT
CPT Code:
84260
Clinical Significance:
Somatostatin is a cyclic peptide originally isolated from sheep hypothalami and shown to inhibit the release of Growth Hormone. Somatostatin is present primarily in three main forms: a 14 amino acid peptide, a 28 amino acid peptide (“Big” Somatostatin), and a 12,000 molecular weight ProSomatostatin. All three forms of Somatostatin have similar biological properties and overall potencies.
Somatostatin is a physiological regulator of Islet Cell and gastrointestinal functions, and is a suppressor of many pituitary hormones including Growth Hormone, Prolactin, and Thyrotropin (TSH). Somatostatin levels are often elevated in diabetics, but the levels return to normal upon correction of the hormonal and metabolic deficiencies present. In many cases of APUDomas including VIPoma, Insulinoma, Glucagonoma, and Gastrinoma, elevated levels of Somatostatin are found.
Reference Range:
Serum: 29 – 541 ng/ml
Procedure:
Serotonin is measured by direct ELISA.
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.
Patient Preparation:
Patient Preparation: Patient should be fasting for 10-12 hours prior to collection of specimen. Morning specimens are preferred.
Specimen Collection:
3 ml serum should be collected and separated as soon as possible. Freeze plasma immediately after separation. Minimum specimen size is 1 ml.
Special Specimens:
For plasma, urine, tumor/tissue and various fluids (i.e. CSF, peritoneal, synovial, etc.) contact the Institute for requirements and special handling.
Shipping Instructions:
Ship specimens frozen in dry ice.