Wallach's Interpretation of Diagnostic Tests: Pathways to Arriving at a Clinical Diagnosis (950 page)

   Child (4–14 years): 0–148 pg/mL

   Adult: 20–100 pg/mL

   Interpretation

Increased In

   Glucagonoma

   Diabetes mellitus

   Chronic renal failure

   Hyperlipoproteinemia types III and IV

   Severe stress, infections, trauma, burns, surgery, and acute hypoglycemia

Decreased In

   Cystic fibrosis

   Chronic pancreatitis

GLUCAGON STIMULATION TEST

   Definition and Use

   Failure of glucagon to increase after arginine stimulation is seen in glucagon deficiencies such as cystic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis.

   This test is of rare clinical utility.

   After fasting overnight, an IV infusion of 0.5 g arginine/kg (not >30 g) should be given over 30 minutes. Fasting samples should be drawn at 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes.