Gastrin: Results
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Results
A gastrin test measures the level of the hormone gastrin in the blood. Results are usually available in 1 to 2 days.
Normal
The range of normal gastrin values may vary from lab to lab. Normal values may be higher in very young children and older adults.
| Adults: | Less than 200 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL) or less than 95 picomoles per liter (pmol/L) |
|---|---|
| Children: | Less than 125 pg/mL or less than 60 pmol/L |
Many conditions can change gastrin levels. Your doctor will talk with you about any abnormal results that may be related to your symptoms and medical history.
High levels
High gastrin levels may be caused by:
- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, a rare disease that can cause gastrin levels to increase as high as 450,000 pg/mL.
- Pernicious anemia and conditions in which the stomach is unable to produce gastric acid, such as atrophic gastritis.
- Kidney failure.
- Diseases such as G-cell hyperplasia, peptic ulcers, hypercalcemia, hyperparathyroidism, sarcoidosis, and stomach cancer.
- Surgery to remove a large portion of the intestines (small bowel resection).
Low levels
Low gastrin levels may be caused by hypothyroidism.
| Last updated: | April 11, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Monica Rhodes |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Peter J. Kahrilas, MD - Gastroenterology |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Tracy Landauer |
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