The gastrin blood test is designed to detect the amount of this hormone that is present in the body. It is produced by cells that are found in the lining of the upper small intestine and the stomach. When a person eats food, then this hormone stimulates the stomach to release the gastric acids that help to digest the proteins that have been consumed. Gastric acid also helps to extract and absorb vitamins and minerals that are found in the food.
Gastric acid also helps to minimize digestive tract infections by killing harmful bacteria that may be present on the foods consumed. The hormone also stimulates the growth of the stomach lining when necessary and stimulates digestion muscles that help with the digestion process. If there are digestion issues or vitamin/mineral imbalances, the gastrin blood test may be ordered to determine if there is an appropriate level of the hormone present.
When To See a Doctor About the Gastrin Blood Test
When gastrin levels are out of balance, then it typically causes the stomach to feel like it is uneasy for a prolonged period of time. A feeling of being bloated is usually the primary complaint. The higher levels of stomach acid may also cause more frequent heartburn than normal. Excessive stomach acid may also cause frequent burping, as if someone was constantly consuming a carbonated beverage.
If these symptoms do not improve over 7-14 days, then scheduling an appointment with the family doctor or local medical provider may be necessary. Although many of these symptoms are representative of mild or temporary conditions, it may also be early signs of a severe peptic ulcer disease, a chronic kidney disease, or an ongoing gastritis issue which needs to be treated.
What Do My Test Results Mean?
Test results for the gastrin blood test are communicated in the actual amount of the hormone that is present. Everyone has at least some of this hormone present at all times. This means your results will either be low, normal, or high.
It is actually very rare for someone to have low gastrin levels. When the results indicate that this is the health issue, then it means that there is an increased risk of experiencing a stomach or small intestine infection. People with low gastrin levels will also struggle to digest food properly and may be deficient in one or several needed vitamins or minerals.
When gastrin levels come back at normal levels, then this generally indicates that another issue is causing the bothersome signs and symptoms that drove a patient to seek medical help. Normal levels of gastrin are typically less than 100 pg/mL. Biological variability may change this level from patient to patient, but this number is used as a guide post for medical providers. Figures up to 180 pg/ML may be considered normal for adults and up to 125 pg/ML for children.
Older adults are known to have more gastrin hormone present than younger adults.
High gastrin levels may occur because there is a tumor present that is secreting extra amounts of this hormone. These tumors, which are called gastrinomas, cause stomach acids to be released when they may not be needed. This causes the acids to wear down the lining of the stomach and small intestine and increase the chances of an ulcer forming. The ulcers may burst over time. The increased stomach acid also tends to lead to ongoing diarrhea because the small intestine is unable to work properly.
Taking antacids on a regular basis is known to create high gastrin levels. When the pH levels of the stomach are higher than they should be, the result is typically a higher level of this hormone as well. It is also believed that high gastrin levels may contribute to a higher risk of a digestive tract cancer forming, but no link has been proven as of yet.
Answers to Common Questions About the Gastrin Blood Test
Caffeine consumption will affect the gastrin blood test results. Avoid caffeine if you are experiencing the symptoms of excessive hormone production for the most accurate test results. Antacids, calcium supplements, and high protein foods will also cause the test results to be higher than normal.
Certain prescription medications and treatments will also cause test results to be artificially high. This is most often seen in patients who take insulin for their diabetes or are taking antidepressants on a regular basis.
Drinking alcohol within 24 hours of the blood draw will also affect the test results. You will be required to completely fast, with the exception of water, for a minimum of 12 hours to prepare for this test. Certain illicit drugs can also change the test results, so be sure to discuss with our medical provider all of your lifestyle habits.
The gastrin blood test can help you and your medical provider know if there is a hormonal issue that is causing your distressing gastrointestinal symptoms. Speak to your doctor about this test and whether it would be helpful to the diagnostic process so that a helpful treatment plan can be developed.