Gastrin test

A gastrin test may be done to:

• Find out why a peptic ulcer keeps coming back.
• Check for certain diseases, such as tumors of the pancreas or small intestine (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome) or abnormal growth of cells that line the stomach (G-cell hyperplasia).
• Help identify pernicious anemia.

A health professional takes a blood sample, usually from the arm.

For a secretin test, a blood sample is taken. Then the digestive hormone secretin is injected into a vein in your arm. More blood samples are taken at the time of the injection and then every few minutes for about half an hour after the injection.

Before having the gastrin test:

• Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours before the test.
• Do not eat for 12 hours before the test.
• You can drink as much water as you want up to 1 hour before the test.

Be sure to tell your doctor about all the nonprescription and prescription medicines you take. Be sure to mention any acid-reducing medicines you take, such as Pepcid (famotidine), Prilosec (omeprazole), or Tums. You may need to stop taking some medicines before this test.

Results are usually available in 1 to 2 days.

Normal

Each lab has a different range for what's normal. Your lab report should show the range that your lab uses for each test. The normal range is just a guide. Your doctor will also look at your results based on your age, health, and other factors. A value that isn't in the normal range may still be normal for you.

High levels

High gastrin levels may be caused by:

• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, a rare disease that can cause gastrin levels to be very high.
• Pernicious anemia and conditions in which the stomach is not able 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).