Fasting Hypoglycaemia (Blood)

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Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Chemical Pathology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

GHYP, Please see section 'Additional Specimen Information'

Test Code (Numeric Code)

3909

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

The patient is fasted under observation for up to 72h ,with frequent blood glucose checks and monitoring for symptoms of hypoglycemia. Please see notes under Pre-testing requirements

Laboratory

LabPLUS Endocrinology

Sample Stability

Insulin antibodies - Separated: stable for 4 hours at room temperature, 48 hours at 2-8 degrees Celsius, 6 months at -20 degrees Celsius. Freeze only once.

Associated Tests

Synonyms

Fasting Hypoglycemia, fasting test

Turnaround Time

2 weeks

This test may be vetted by the laboratory. Please include relevant clinical information on the request form to ensure appropriate tests are approved. See the 'Clinical Information' section below for more information on the indications for testing.

Specimen Type

  • Plasma
  • Serum

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred
  • Please refer to Additional Information below
  • Fluoride (Grey Cap)
  • Lithium Heparin PST- Gel (Light Green Cap)
  • Plain (Red Top)
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

7

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred
  • Heparin (Microtainer)
  • Plain(Microtainer)
  • Fluoride (Grey Cap)
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

3

Pre-testing Requirements

The Fasting Hypoglycemia Test is performed by the Dept. of Endocrinology

The patient is fasted under observation for up to 72h with frequent blood glucose checks and monitoring for symptoms of hypoglycemia. The following bloods are taken during hypoglycemia:

- Glucose
- Insulin
- Growth Hormone
- Cortisol
- Beta Hydroxybutyrate (ketones)
- C-Peptide

- Proinsulin
- Sulphonyl Urea
- Insulin Analog Test
- Insulin Antibodies

NOTE:

The tests in the last row are only rarely required and will not be performed unless specifically authorised by a chemical pathologist. Clinicians should contact the on-call chemical pathologist via email (chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz ) or LabLINK (ACH ext 22000 or from outside 09-3078995).

Tests which do NOT need to be taken during hypoglycemia:

sulphonylurea drug screen

acylcarnitines (in children): plain (red) tube

Additional Specimen Information

Analyte Tube Type/Colour No. of  Tubes Test Code Notes
Glucose Fluoride - Grey

1

SGLU
Insulin

Growth Hormone

Cortisol

Beta Hydroxybutyrate (ketones)

C-Peptide

 PST - Light Green

Micro PST

1

2

INSX

HGH

COR

OHB

CPSN
Proinsulin

Sulphonyl Urea

Insulin Analog Test

Insulin Antibodies

 Plain - Red

Micro Plain

 2

3

GHYP

 Serum is to be separated and divided into 4 aliquots, frozen, and stored.

If requested by a Pathologist, activate testing by adding the appropriate test code.

The samples will be discarded after 3 weeks.

Last updated: 29/08/2026