title: The value of C-peptide level measurements in diabetes mellitus.
abstract: A prospective study of 27 patients with diabetes mellitus was done to assess their basal and glucagon stimulated C-peptide levels. Based on recommended cut off values for both basal and stimulated C-peptide levels, these patients were subsequently classified as insulin or non-insulin requiring diabetics. As in most other studies, we demonstrated a good correlation between the basal and glucagon stimulated C-peptide levels. Of the 8 patients on insulin therapy prior to this test, we found that only 2 actually required insulin i.e. had poor pancreatic reserve. Of the remaining 19 patients who were on diet and/or oral hypoglycaemic agents, we found that only one newly diagnosed diabetic had a definitive indication for insulin therapy. Among the other diabetics with poor control despite being on oral hypoglycaemic therapy, we found they had good islet cell secretory capacity for insulin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Alexandra Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rajasoorya
authors.forename: Y T
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Chew
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002096:C-Peptide / Q000097:blood*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood* / Q000145:classification / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005934:Glucagon; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002096:C-Peptide; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D005934:Glucagon