Secretin test
Information for patients
Endocrinology
You may recently have had a blood test to assess the hormone levels in your gut and as a
consequence your gastrin level was slightly raised.
Gastrin is a naturally produced hormone that stimulates gastric acid production. Too much gastrin
can cause stomach symptoms, so we would like to invite you to the Endocrine Investigation Unit at
the Royal Hallamshire Hospital for further assessment of your gastrin level.
What does the test involve?
• You can expect to be with us for about an hour.
• Please have nothing to eat or drink from 12 midnight.
• You will be weighed so we can work out the correct dose of Secretin to give you.
• A small plastic tube (cannula) will be placed in a vein in both arms. One for blood sampling, and
the other for giving the drug Secretin.
• Baseline blood is taken to assess the hormone gastrin.
• An injection of Secretin is given into one of the cannulas to stimulate your body to release
gastrin.
• Further blood samples are taken at 2, 5 and 30 minutes.
• Cannulas are then removed and a dry dressing applied. This can be removed once you get
home.
• We will give you tea/coffee and toast following your tests.
How and when will I get my test results?
The nurse looking after you will discuss with you how you will get to know the results.
The blood tests are sent to another hospital for analysis, so results can take up to 4 weeks to come
back to your Consultant.
What should I do if I have any questions or concerns?
If you have any questions or concerns about the test, or if the date is inconvenient, please phone the
Endocrine Sisters on 0114 271 3714
Alternative formats can be available on request. Email: [email protected]
© Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 2016
Re-use of all or any part of this document is governed by copyright and the “Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005” SI 2005 No.1515. Information on re-use can be obtained from
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PD6195-PIL2368 v4
Issue Date: November 2016. Review Date: November 2018