Gastrin Test- Why am I having this test?
The gastrin test is used to help find the cause of peptic ulcer disease. Peptic ulcer disease is a condition in which a person develops repeated peptic, or stomach, ulcers over time. Your health care provider may recommend this test to check for certain conditions that can cause peptic ulcer disease.
What is being tested?
This test measures the level of gastrin in your blood. Gastrin is a hormone that is made in your stomach by cells called G cells. Having the right amount of gastrin is important to help you digest food. However, if your body makes too much gastrin, you are at risk for peptic ulcer disease.
Certain conditions can cause your body to produce too much gastrin, including tumors of the pancreas (Zollinger–Ellison syndrome) and overgrowth of G cells (G-cell hyperplasia).
What kind of sample is taken?
A blood sample is required for this test. It is usually collected by inserting a needle into a blood vessel.
How do I prepare for this test?
- Do noteat or drink anything other than water for 12 hours before the test or as told by your health care provider.
- Do not drink alcohol or consume foods or drinks that contain caffeine for at least 24 hours before the test.
- Do notuse any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes, for 4 hours before the test.
- You may have to stop taking medicines for your stomach before the test as told by your health care provider.
Tell a health care provider about:
- All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
- Any surgeries you have had.
- Any medical conditions you have.
How are the results reported?
Your test results will be reported as ranges. Your health care provider will compare your results to normal ranges that were established after testing a large group of people (reference ranges). Reference ranges may vary among labs and hospitals. For this test, common reference ranges are:
- Adult: 0–180 pg/mL or 0–180 ng/L (SI units).
- Child: 0–125 pg/mL.
Levels may be higher in elderly people and people with diabetes who are experiencing low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) at the time of the test.
What do the results mean?
Results within the reference range are considered normal. A gastrin level that is too high can indicate a number of health problems. These may include:
- Zollinger–Ellison syndrome.
- G-cell hyperplasia.
- Pernicious anemia. This is when your body makes an abnormally low number of red blood cells due to a vitamin B12 deficiency.
- Atrophic gastritis.
- Stomach cancer.
- Long-term (chronic) kidney failure.
- Gastric outlet obstruction. This is when digested food does not properly pass from your stomach into your small intestine.
- Complications after gastric surgery.
Talk with your health care provider about what your results mean.
Questions to ask your health care provider
Ask your health care provider, or the department that is doing the test:
- When will my results be ready?
- How will I get my results?
- What are my treatment options?
- What other tests do I need?
- What are my next steps?
Summary
- The gastrin test is used to help diagnose certain conditions that can cause peptic ulcer disease.
- Gastrin is a hormone that is made in your stomach by cells called G cells. Certain conditions can cause your body to produce too much gastrin, including tumors of the pancreas (Zollinger–Ellison syndrome) and overgrowth of G cells (G-cell hyperplasia).
- For this test, a blood sample is usually collected by inserting a needle into a blood vessel.
- Talk with your health care provider about what your results mean.
