Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide
Label Mnemonic: VIP
Epic code: LAB4233
Downtime form: A-1a Doctor/Provider Orders - Pathology Core and Specialty Care Nursery
Commercial Mailout Laboratory
6240-8 RCP
356-8593
Specimen(s):
Plasma
Specimen Instructions:
It is preferred that patients fast for at least 8 hours prior to blood draw. A high fat breakfast may cause elevated VIP concentrations.

Note: This test should not be requested on patients who have recently received radioactive material.
Collection Medium:
Lavender top tube 3 mL (EDTA)
Minimum:
Preferred Minimum: 1 mL plasma
Absolute Minimum: 0.6 mL plasma
Turn Around Time:
3 working days upon receipt at reference laboratory
Reference Range:
<75 pg/mL
Interpretive Data:
Values >75 pg/mL may indicate presence of enteropancreatic tumor causing hypersecretion of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP).

Values >200 pg/mL are strongly suggestive of VIP producing tumors (VIPoma).

VIPoma is unlikely with a 24-hour stool volume <700 mL.
Comments:
Useful for detection of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide producing tumors in patients with chronic diarrheal diseases.

Cautions:
This test should not be requested in patients who have recently received radioisotopes, therapeutically or diagnostically, because of potential assay interference. A recommended time period before collection cannot be made because it will depend on the isotope administered, the dose given and the clearance rate in the individual patient. Specimens will be screened for radioactivity prior to analysis. Radioactive samples received in the laboratory will be held and assayed after the radioactivity has sufficiently decayed. This will result in a test delay.
Methodology:
Radioimmunoassay (RIA)
CPT Code:
84586