C Peptide Tests for Diabetes

C peptide, or connecting peptide, is a test to establish how much insulin the pancreas is producing. It is used in type 2 and type 1 diabetes to determine how much insulin or medication is necessary.

Reference ranges

• Ranges vary significantly from lab to lab. But all results will indicate the actual test result and the normal reference range for that lab.

Uses for type 2 diabetes

• Check C peptide to monitor the production of insulin by the Beta cells of your pancreas and adjust medication intake accordingly. It is also important to check it over time, as the productivity of your pancreas will change---requiring different adjustments to medications.

Hypoglycemia

• If you experience hypoglycemia often, it could be because of internal or external reasons. Check your C peptide to rule out internal reasons: Your pancreas produces insulin which, added to your medications, causes low blood-sugar levels (hypoglycemia).

Type 1 and type 2

• Monitor your C peptide to establish the changes in the activity of your pancreas. There are more and more cases of reversal or reduction in the level of diabetes as you adjust your diet and lifestyle to increase your health.

Therapeutics: neuropathy

• C peptide has been used experimentally to avoid or reduce the consequences of neuropathy and other complications associated with diabetes. A successful study was initiated in 1997 by Lilly and then abandoned. In 2007 it was indicated that the company was pursuing drugs to prevent diabetic complications.