Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) - plasma
Last updated: Wednesday, 31, March, 2004
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | 5 mL blood in EDTA tube; some laboratories require an EDTA/Trasylol tube. Patient must be fasting. Plasma must be separated immediately and frozen. |
| Method | Immunoassay. |
| Reference Interval | <30 pmol/L. |
| Application | Investigation of persistent unexplained watery diarrhoea. |
| Interpretation | The presence of elevated levels of VIP in a patient with persistent severe diarrhoea associated with elevated levels of faecal sodium (secretory diarrhoea) indicates the presence of a tumour secreting VIP ('VIPoma'). These are usually located in the pancreas. |
| Reference | Jensen RT. Gastrointest Dis 1999; 10(4): 156-172. |