From Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia.
C-peptide is a
peptide which is made when
proinsulin is split into
insulin and C-peptide. They
split when released from the
pancreas and is released into
the
blood - one C-peptide for each
insulin molecule.
C-peptide is the abbreviation
for connecting peptide. C-peptide
was discovered in 1967. The first
documented use of the C-peptide
test was in 1972. It should not to
be confused with
c-reactive protein or
Protein C.
Function
C-peptide functions in repair
of the muscular layer of the
arteries.
Use
- Newly diagnosed
diabetes patient often get
their C-peptide levels measured,
to find if they are
type 1 diabetes or
type 2 diabetes. The
pancreas of patients with type 1
diabetes is unable to produce
insulin and they will therefore
usually have a decreased level
of C-peptide, while C-peptide
levels in type 2 patients is
normal or higher than normal.
Measuring C-peptide in patients
injecting insulin can help to
determine how much of their own
natural insulin these patients
are still producing. Most "type
1" insulin using diabetics have
never been C-peptide tested.
With the now appearant rapid
rise of type 2 diabetes in
children, it may be that most of
the so-called type 1's may
actually have had type 2
diabetes all along. Type 2
diabetes is caused by insulin
resistance.
- Can be used for identifying
malingering:
hypoglycemia with a normal
or high C-peptide level may
indicate abuse of
sulfonylurea drugs or
insulin.
