Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) - plasma
Last updated: Wednesday, 31, March, 2004
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5 mL blood in EDTA tube; some laboratories require an EDTA/Trasylol tube.
Patient must be fasting.
Plasma must be separated immediately and frozen.
| Reference Interval||<30 pmol/L.|
Investigation of persistent unexplained watery diarrhoea.
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.
Jensen RT. Gastrointest Dis 1999; 10(4): 156-172.