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24817 Pancreatic Polypeptide, Plasma (HPP)

Pancreatic Polypeptide, Plasma (HPP)
Test Code: HPPSO
Synonyms/Keywords
HPP (Human Pancreatic Polypeptide), Human Pancreatic Polypeptide, PP (Pancreatic Polypeptide,Plasma)
Useful For
Detection of pancreatic endocrine tumors
 
Assessment of vagal nerve function after meal or sham feeding​
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​Yes (8 hours) Plasma EDTA​ ​EDTA Lavender Top Tube (LTt) ​3 mL ​0.35 mL
Collection Processing Instructions
1. Fasting (8 hours)
2. Specimen must be kept cold at all times following draw.
3. Refrigerated centrifuge is not required.
 
Additional Information: Include patient's age.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
​Plasma EDTA ​Frozen ​90 days
Rejection Criteria
Hemolysis Mild OK; Gross reject
​Lipemia Mild reject; Gross reject
​Plasma separator tube ​
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Mayo Medical Laboratories Monday, Wednesday​ ​3 days
Radioimmunoassay (RIA)​
Reference Lab
Test Information
Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) is secreted by the pancreas in response to hypoglycemia, ingestion of food, or "sham" feeding (food is chewed, but not swallowed) secondary to vagal nerve stimulation. Secretion is blocked by vagotomy or atropine.
 
The exact physiologic role of PP is undetermined, although the hormone is thought to be involved in exocrine pancreatic secretion and gallbladder emptying.
 
Markedly elevated levels are often associated with endocrine tumors of the pancreas (eg, insulinoma, glucagonoma, PPoma). Patients with diabetes may also have elevated PP levels.
 
A lack of response to sham feeding may indicate vagal nerve damage (eg, surgery-related nerve damage, autonomic nerve disorders). Extensive pancreatic destruction (eg, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer) may also result in low basal PP levels and a lack of response to sham feeding.​
Reference Range Information
0-19 years: not established
20-29 years: <228 pg/mL
30-39 years: <249 pg/mL
40-49 years: <270 pg/mL
50-59 years: <291 pg/mL
60-69 years: <312 pg/mL
70-79 years: <332 pg/mL
> or =80 years: not established
Interpretation
High levels may be seen in pancreatic endocrine tumors, diabetes, and nonfasting state. Markedly elevated levels may be seen in some pancreatic exocrine tumors.
 
A normal response to a sham feeding consists of a rapid PP rise over baseline followed by a return to baseline. With vagal damage, no increase over baseline is seen.
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)
Quantity Description Comments
​83519
Synonyms/Keywords
HPP (Human Pancreatic Polypeptide), Human Pancreatic Polypeptide, PP (Pancreatic Polypeptide,Plasma)
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​Centricity ​Pancreatic Polypeptide, P (8014)
​Cerner ​Pancreatic Polypeptide, Plasma (8014)
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​Yes (8 hours) Plasma EDTA​ ​EDTA Lavender Top Tube (LTt) ​3 mL ​0.35 mL
Collection Processing
1. Fasting (8 hours)
2. Specimen must be kept cold at all times following draw.
3. Refrigerated centrifuge is not required.
 
Additional Information: Include patient's age.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
​Plasma EDTA ​Frozen ​90 days
Rejection Criteria
Hemolysis Mild OK; Gross reject
​Lipemia Mild reject; Gross reject
​Plasma separator tube ​
Useful For
Detection of pancreatic endocrine tumors
 
Assessment of vagal nerve function after meal or sham feeding​
Reference Range Information
0-19 years: not established
20-29 years: <228 pg/mL
30-39 years: <249 pg/mL
40-49 years: <270 pg/mL
50-59 years: <291 pg/mL
60-69 years: <312 pg/mL
70-79 years: <332 pg/mL
> or =80 years: not established
Interpretation
High levels may be seen in pancreatic endocrine tumors, diabetes, and nonfasting state. Markedly elevated levels may be seen in some pancreatic exocrine tumors.
 
A normal response to a sham feeding consists of a rapid PP rise over baseline followed by a return to baseline. With vagal damage, no increase over baseline is seen.
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Mayo Medical Laboratories Monday, Wednesday​ ​3 days
Radioimmunoassay (RIA)​
Reference Lab
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)
Quantity Description Comments
​83519
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.