The C-Peptide test can tell physicians the amount of insulin the pancreas is making. However, this test is not for everyone. It is used primarily for diabetes research, but there are times when it is useful, particularly in treating non-insulin dependent diabetes. When insulin is released from the pancreas, most is soaked up by the liver where blood tests are unable to detect it. C-Peptide goes through the liver and when the body produces a molecule of insulin, it also makes one of C-Peptide. By measuring C-Peptide, the test gauges the amount of insulin made. This test can detect the levels of insulin being made by type 2 diabetics. With normal to high levels, oral agents are usually successful. Low levels normally require insulin injections.
