Gastrin

Blood test Gastrin from frozen serum

Starting February 23, 2022, gastrin samples must be submitted in deep-frozen serum. Samples can only be collected at the lab in Mönchengladbach.

Blood sample in the morning on an empty stomach (approx. 12 hours abstinence from food), 24 hours beforehand do not take antacids, H2 blockers or anticholinergics, do not drink coffee

When can you do this research:

In case of severe peptic ulcer, recurrent ulcers after partial gastric resection, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, severe reflux esophagitis, massive gastric hypersecretion, further diagnostics upon elucidation of MEN:

MEN syndrome (Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia) is an inherited disease. MEN syndrome is a disease in which tumors can occur in the pancreas, parathyroid gland, pituitary gland, adrenal glands, stomach, lungs, and thymus (thymus).

Gastrin is a hormone that, among other things, stimulates the production of gastric acid. This acid is important for the digestion. When the stomach has too little acid the gastrin will increase. The hormone gastrin has several functions: it stimulates the secretion of hydrochloric acid, it increases the number of muscle contractions in the lower part of the stomach and it regulates the production of pepsinogen, an enzyme that plays an important role in the breakdown of proteins.

When there are stomach complaints, the gastrin level in the blood is often examined. The values can be determined by means of a blood test. When the gastrin level is determined, the cause of the stomach complaints can be determined.

Gastrin test

The blood test measures the amount of gastrin in the blood. Gastrin is secreted by G-cells located in the stomach wall. However, tumors can also produce gastrin. The amount of gastrin in blood provides information about the functioning and intactness of the stomach wall and about the acidity in the stomach. High gastrin production is a result of rising pH in the stomach.

Gastrin Values

An elevated gastrin value means that the pH of the stomach is high because there is not enough acid present. This may be due to the use of antacids, an inflammation of the stomach lining or an infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.

elevated values may indicate: Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, MEN 1, postprandial, ulcer duodeni, chronic atrophic gastritis, use of proton pump inhibitors.

Extremely high results may indicate a gastrinoma. For example, in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, a tumor in the duodenum or pancreas is the cause of excessive gastrin production.

In Zollinger-Ellison, there are small tumors (swellings) in the intestine or pancreas.
The tumors make the hormone gastrin.
This causes your stomach to make too much stomach acid. This causes you to have long and frequent stomach symptoms, such as pain in the upper abdomen, heartburn and nausea. Usually the swelling can be removed with surgery or medication.

Measurement method: Chemilumineszenz-Assay (CLIA)