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Glucagon
Hormones

Glucagon

Also known as: Serum Glucagon
COMMON RANGE
0 – 159
pg/mL
0
175
M
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
Adult
↗
See all sources ↓
CONVERT & COMPARE
pg/mL
=
80
ng/L

Reference ranges across 10+ sources

Adult reference ranges from 2 entries across 2 named sources, shown in pg/mL. Compare side-by-side.
SOURCE
SEX
AGE
RANGE
VISUAL
CITE
A
ARUP Laboratories
All
≥18y
0 – 150 pg/mL
↗
M
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
All
≥18y
0 – 159 pg/mL
↗
A
ARUP Laboratories
All · ≥18y
↗
0 – 150 pg/mL
M
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
All · ≥18y
↗
0 – 159 pg/mL

About Glucagon

This test measures the amount of glucagon in your blood. Glucagon is a hormone made by your pancreas. Hormones are chemical messengers in your bloodstream that control the actions of certain cells or organs. Glucagon works with other hormones, like insulin, to help maintain your body's level of blood glucose, also called blood sugar. Glucagon increases your blood glucose levels, while insulin decreases your blood glucose levels.
Glucose is your body's main source of energy. It comes from the food you eat. Your body breaks down most of that food into glucose and releases it into your bloodstream. This causes your blood glucose levels to go up, and less glucagon is released.
And when your blood glucose levels drop, your pancreas releases glucagon into the bloodstream. But if your pancreas doesn't release the right amount of glucagon, it can lead to serious health problems.
Main source: MedlinePlus ↗

Useful for

Help find a rare tumor of the pancreas called a glucagonoma, which makes too much glucagon and can cause a typical skin rash, weight loss, diabetes, and diarrhea.
Help look into unexplained low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), since glucagon is one of the main hormones that should rise when blood sugar drops.
Help check pancreas function in people with chronic pancreatitis or after pancreatic surgery.
In some people with diabetes, help understand swings between very high and very low blood sugar.
Main source: MedlinePlus ↗

Interpretation

If your glucagon levels were not in the normal range, it may be a sign of an underlying condition. If you have questions about your results, talk to your health care provider.
A high glucagon level when blood sugar is normal or high may suggest a glucagon-making tumor (glucagonoma) or another rare neuroendocrine tumor. Other things that can raise glucagon include severe stress, prolonged fasting, kidney failure, and uncontrolled diabetes.
A low or undetectable glucagon level when blood sugar is low can be a problem because the body is missing one of its main "rescue" hormones for low sugar. This is sometimes seen in long-standing type 1 diabetes and can lead to repeated severe low-sugar episodes.
Glucagon results are usually interpreted alongside blood sugar, insulin, and C-peptide levels rather than on their own.
For general wellness information only. Talk to a clinician about your specific results.
Main source: MedlinePlus ↗
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Related biomarkers

Often tested alongside glucagon or part of the same panel.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Hormones
Free T4 (Thyroxine)
Hormones
Free T3 (Triiodothyronine)
Hormones
Total T4 (Thyroxine)
Hormones
Total T3 (Triiodothyronine)
Hormones
Reverse T3 (rT3)
Hormones

Sources

A
ARUP Laboratories
M
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
Last updated 2026-05-02
This page aggregates publicly available reference data and clinical information from Mayo Clinic Laboratories and other sources. For general wellness information only — not medical advice. For diagnosis or treatment of any condition, talk to a qualified clinician.
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