Insulin
Ordering Info & Methodology
Test Code
Cerner Synonyms
INS
Insulin, Fasting Insulin, Immunoreactive Insulin, Insulin Assay, Insulin Level, Native Insulin
Turn Around Time
Methodology
Analyzed within 2 days of receipt when received Monday-Friday.
Sandwich immunoassay, electrochemiluminescence, Roche Cobas
Ordering Guide
10 hours fasting preferred but not mandatory.
Specimen Requirements
Sample Type
Collection Container
Alternate Collection Containers
Serum
Gold
Red, Li-Hep plasma, Any specimen type can be analyzed for critical hypoglycemic samples.
1.0 mL
10 hours at Room Temp or 4 days at 2-8°C
Add on stability
This is the length of time after sample collection that this analyte is stable. Test can be added to a previously collected sample if the time since collection is less than the add on stability time.
Minimum Volume
Add On Stability
Collection and Shipping Requirements
Freeze. Send frozen on dry ice.
Reference Intervals
Female Reference Interval
Age Category | Reference Interval | units |
|---|---|---|
≥19 y | <95 | pmol/L |
Male Reference Interval
Age Category | Reference Interval | units |
|---|---|---|
≥19 y | <95 | pmol/L |
Additional Notes
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Measurement Uncertainty (MU)
Every laboratory value is an estimate of the true concentration of substance. MU is the 95% confidence interval around that estimate. 95% of the time, the true concentration will be within the range of the reported value ±MU. This value is based on analytical variability (precision) and does not reflect other factors such as sample collection and handling which may also affect the result.
Example
Reported sodium = 140 mmol/L
Sodium MU = 1%
Expanded uncertainty = 140 mmol/L ± 1% or 140mmol/L ± 1.4 mmol/L
Interpretation - the true value of sodium in the sample is in the range 138.6-141.4 mmol/L, with 95% confidence.
6%
Measurement Uncertainty
Reference intervals assume a fasting state. Insulin levels are not interpretable in non-fasting patients with the exception of critical hypoglycemia samples.
If the collected specimen was obtained during a hypoglycemic episode, decant, freeze and send regardless of whether the sample is collected in the wrong container type or shows hemolysis. Please add a note to the specimen to indicate that it is a "critical hypoglycemic sample". Contact on call Medical Biochemist at 604 682 2344 ext 63615.
Assay interferences are possible in patients taking high dose (>5mg/day) biotin supplementation.