Glucagon
The pancreatic hormone that opposes insulin and raises blood glucose, useful for rare tumors and complex glucose problems.
Consider this test if:
- Working up a suspected glucagonoma, especially with the rash, unexplained weight loss, and new diabetes
- A characteristic necrolytic migratory erythema alongside diarrhea, depression, or anemia
- Investigating unexplained or recurrent hypoglycemia or an abnormal glucose pattern
- Evaluating a known neuroendocrine pancreatic tumor as part of an endocrine workup
- HSA/FSA eligible
- Typical results in 3-10 days · Reviewed by a real clinician
- Drawn at a CLIA/CAP-accredited lab near you ·
Pre-test considerations
Fast overnight for a basal level. You should not be in a stress state at the time of the draw, since stress, trauma, and acute illness raise glucagon. If you have diabetes, glucose should be in good control before the sample is taken. The specimen is plasma that must be separated and frozen quickly, so collection follows specific handling steps.
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What this test is for
Glucagon is a hormone made by the alpha cells of the pancreas. It is insulin's counterweight: when blood sugar falls, glucagon signals the liver to release stored glucose through glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, and it also drives fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis. Very high glucagon, typically above 500 pg/mL, strongly suggests a glucagonoma, a rare alpha-cell tumor whose syndrome includes hyperglycemia, weight loss, a distinctive rash (necrolytic migratory erythema), diarrhea, anemia, and clotting risk. Elevated levels also appear in poorly controlled diabetes and in physiological stress states such as trauma, burns, sepsis, and acute illness, while a blunted glucagon response contributes to severe hypoglycemia in insulin-treated diabetes. This is a specialized endocrine test, not a routine metabolic screen.
What to expect
- 1 Book instantly
Click, book, done. Choose a convenient lab location near you. Transparent, up-front pricing.
- 2 Quick lab visit
Testing to fit your busy schedule, usually 15 minutes or less. Walk-in and appointments available.
- 3 Typical results in 3-10 days
Your results post straight to your dashboard as soon as the lab completes them.
- 4 Expert guidance
Included with Mito membership. A clinician reviews your results and your personalized action plan follows, with clear next steps.
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Every test at our cost
Members pay our cost on every test, with lab fees passed straight through. The full receipt is itemized, never padded.
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Text anytime and get clinician-reviewed answers. When you want to go deeper, 1:1 consultations are available at affordable rates.
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Order any test or consult without joining. For $9/month, members unlock member prices, trend tracking, and year-round clinician guidance.
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Frequently asked questions
View all FAQsHow does pricing work?
Every test shows the member price next to the standard non-member price, so you can see what membership saves you. The member price is our cost — covering the lab and what it takes to run the service — never a profit on the test itself; Mito makes its money on the $9 membership, not on marking up your tests. Membership is $9/mo, and you still pay the lab’s order fee. Prices are itemized before you pay, with no hidden fees.
Where do I get tested?
Choose a partner lab (Quest, Labcorp, or BioReference) at checkout. If your cart spans multiple tests, we consolidate the whole order onto a single lab so you only make one visit.
Is this eligible for HSA/FSA?
Yes. This test is HSA/FSA eligible, and you can pay with your HSA/FSA card at checkout.
When will I get my results?
Your results post to your dashboard once your lab completes them, then a clinician reviews them and your full analysis and personalized action plan (with clear next steps) follow. Turnaround varies by test: specialty assays and at-home kits take longer, and each test shows its expected turnaround before you buy.
Do I need a doctor’s order?
No. Mito provides the lab order for you, so you can book and get tested without a separate doctor visit.
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