C-Peptide

C-Peptide

What's

C-Peptide

C-Peptide, short for Connecting Peptide, is a substance that your pancreas releases into your bloodstream alongside insulin, a hormone that helps control your blood sugar levels. It's a byproduct of the process your pancreas uses to make insulin, created when proinsulin, an early form of insulin, is split into insulin and C-Peptide. Although C-Peptide doesn't directly impact your blood sugar levels, its presence gives important information about how much insulin your body is producing. Think of it as a behind-the-scenes look at how your body manages its blood sugar levels.

If Your Levels Are High

Elevated C-Peptide levels might mean that your body is producing more insulin than usual. This can happen when your body's cells don't respond well to insulin, a situation called insulin resistance, causing your pancreas to make more insulin to keep your blood sugar levels normal. Some medications for type 2 diabetes, like sulfonylureas, can also cause your pancreas to produce more insulin, leading to higher C-Peptide levels. Additionally, factors like obesity or a diet high in carbohydrates could make your body produce more insulin and C-Peptide.

Symptoms of High Levels

Symptoms of high levels of C-Peptide may not be directly noticeable, as C-Peptide itself doesn't cause symptoms. However, the underlying conditions that lead to increased C-Peptide, such as insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes, can cause symptoms. These might include frequent urination, increased thirst, fatigue, blurred vision, and unexplained weight loss.

If Your Levels are Low

Low C-Peptide levels might mean that your pancreas isn't making enough insulin, which could be due to various reasons like stress, unhealthy eating habits, not exercising enough, or taking certain medications. This could also point to specific health issues like type 1 diabetes, where your body's immune system mistakenly attacks the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. Other possible conditions include Addison's disease, which affects your adrenal glands, or hypopituitarism, where your pituitary gland doesn't produce enough of some hormones. Keep in mind that these are just potential causes and not definite diagnoses.

Symptoms of Low Levels

Symptoms of low levels of C-Peptide could include frequent urination, excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and blurred vision.

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See References

Test for

C-Peptide by Access Med Labs

Serum

This is a single-marker test measuring C-peptide.

C-Peptide by Access Labcorp Draw

Serum

This is a single-marker test measuring C-peptide.

C-Peptide by Boston Heart Diagnostics

Serum

This is a single-marker test measuring C-peptide. Please be advised that Boston Heart Diagnostics policy states that practitioners cannot order labs on themselves or their immediate family members.

M.A.P 3.0 by DHA Laboratory

Whole Blood

Urine

Serum

Plasma

The Mental M.A.P.™️ 3.0 helps elucidate the cause of symptoms from mental health dysfunction. Mental illnesses have a common underlying theme: microglial cell activation and dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and excitotoxicity. Neuroinflammation and excitotoxicity cause neurotransmitter imbalances and damage to neurons. NOTE: DHA Laboratory blood draws must be performed at Labcorp.

CONTENTS

What is it?

High Levels

Low Levels

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