I’m having a c-peptide done tomorrow so have been doing some research to see what influences it. I know exogenous insulin doesn’t contain c-peptide, but can’t find agreement on whether to fast or not?
The agreement on whether or not to fast could be the reason you are doing it. In order to get a pump, mine had to be fasting - that is Medicare requirements. If you are planning on using this test to continue to get pump supplies once you go on Medicare, then you should do it fasting and the lab should also do a fasting blood sugar. If you don’t do it that way, you will end up having to have another one once you go on Medicare that is done per their requirements.
I already have my pump, and have 4 years till Medicare. I’m doing it for correct dx purposes - figured I should start now.
I knew that you had a pump already, but even to get supplies under Medicare, you have to meet the c-peptide requirements. If you don’t want to have to do it again in 4 years, you should probably do it fasting - otherwise, Medicare won’t accpet it when you try to get supplies thru them. You also need it just to get insulin for a pump - my pharmacy had to get the c-peptide before they could give me the insulin. Pump insulin gets billed differently thru Medicare than MDI insulin.
Thanks Kelly. So fasting will keep it lower, right? That was what I gathered but not sure!
Are you doing it for correct dx or to pre-qualify for Medicare? If you just want the lowest c-peptide, then drive towards the lowest blood sugar you can (say 70 mg/dl) and keep it there and stable for hours before the test.
I was going to say that I can’t remember about the fasting part other than the Medicare stuff - it was over a year ago that I did mine. Since BSC answered you, I would go with his answer!
I had one done last month & they told me to fast for it. I gave the insurance crap b/c I’ve had Type 1 since I was 10 and am now 48 and know that I produce no insulin at all and couldn’t figure out the reason for 1 I thought it was a waste of monry but had to have another just to get my new pump.
Great, thanks, exactly what I needed. Doing it for both.
Not helping the original poster but I’m abusing this thread to launch my own musings:
For how many other diseases do the afflicted feel they have to study for the blood tests? Or play an active role in influencing them towards the “right answer”?
For years I joked about studying for the eye exam. But really, for a spot bg test? I could put that number anywhere from 30 to 500 with some accuracy if I wanted.
I’m not sure sometimes if I should be proud of my efforts in influencing my lab tests towards normal, or if I should just purposefully send the numbers completely haywire to show where I would be if I wasn’t trying so hard. Sometimes I fear I’m not getting all the help I could be getting, because I try so hard and turn in good labs not because I’m “naturally good” but because I work my butt off so much.