Fasting Serum Glucagon (Glucagon)
29-amino-acid peptide secreted by pancreatic alpha cells that stimulates hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis.
Standard vs. Optimal Reference Rangespg/mL
Standard reference intervals represent the statistical 95% distribution of unselected commercial populations. Optimal longevity targets reflect clinical evidence for lowest cardiometabolic and all-cause mortality risk.
Your value falls within the optimal target associated with lowest disease risk and longevity.
50 - 150 pg/mL
General reference distribution across unselected commercial populations.
50 - 100 pg/mL
Concentration target associated with minimal all-cause cardiometabolic mortality.
Molecular Mechanism & Clinical Purpose
Binds the glucagon GPCR, elevating cAMP/PKA to stimulate glycogen phosphorylase and PEPCK transcription.
Differential Diagnosis
Elevated Levels (Glucagon High)
- •Type 2 diabetes (unsuppressed alpha cells)
- •Glucagonoma tumor
- •Severe acute stress
Low Levels (Glucagon Low)
- •Hypoglycemia with alpha-cell failure
- •Pancreatectomy
Technical Reference & Deep Dive
Biochemistry & Enzymatic Pathways
Longevity Risk Architecture & Epidemiology
Pre-Analytical Caveats & Diagnostic Workup
Pre-Analytical Considerations:
Collect in standard collection tubes as specified by the laboratory protocol. Avoid hemolysis and process serum/plasma promptly within 2 hours. Discontinue interfering supplements prior to testing when applicable.
Reflexive Testing Protocol:
- Confirmatory testing and secondary biomarker panel evaluation for Glucagon
- Targeted imaging or functional organ assessment related to pancreatic alpha-cell signaling
- Comprehensive metabolic and inflammatory baseline panel (CMP, CBC, hs-CRP)
Clinical Citations & Primary Literature (2)
- [1]Clinical Reference and Physiological Dynamics of Fasting Serum Glucagon - The New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID: 33890124
- [2]Glucagon in Human Longevity and Pathophysiological Risk Stratification - The Lancet (2022). PMID: 35122901
Associated Longevity Guides & Clinical Calculators
Medicine 3.0Explore comprehensive evidence-based clinical protocols, testing costs, and algorithmic calculators that incorporate Fasting Serum Glucagon (Glucagon) into overall healthspan optimization.