These are labile hormones: send the specimens to the laboratory without delay.

The following tests can be done at Hammersmith Hospital, London:

Somatostatin (SRIF) Neurotensin

• Auckland Healthcare medical staff must not request somatostatin or neurotensin without first consulting an endocrinologist.
  Patient preparation: The patient must fast overnight, but should have a normal intake of fluids, and report to the Department of Endocrinology, Green Lane Clinical Centre, at 09:00h. Special tubes and sample preparation are required. A covering letter from the requesting doctor, which should include patient details, is required to accompany the specimen to the Hammersmith Hospital laboratory, UK.

Specimens will be forwarded to London by LabPlus after being freeze dried . Turn-around time is approximately 4 weeks.

DIAGNOSTIC USE :
The primary use of this screen is in the diagnosis of pancreatic endocrine tumours. Gut hormone assays are for the detection of abnormally high levels from a tumour, not for proving the absence of a peptide.