Thompson J C, Jones B R, Hickson P C
Batchelar Animal Health Laboratory, PO Box 536, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
N Z Vet J. 1995 Nov;43(6):240-3. doi: 10.1080/00480169.1995.35900.
Amended insulin to glucose ratios were calculated from the concentrations of serum insulin and blood glucose measured concurrently during either a glucagon tolerance test or after feeding in healthy dogs. Values greater than 30 microU/mg which are supportive of a diagnosis of insulinoma were obtained at certain times during the test period. Amended insulin to glucose ratios calculated from serum insulin and blood glucose concentrations obtained during a glucagon tolerance test and an oral glucose tolerance test on a dog with an insulinoma were less than 30 microU/mg, or equivocal, at different times during the test period. This indicates that under some circumstances healthy dogs may have elevated amended insulin to glucose ratios, and dogs with insulinoma may have a normal amended insulin to glucose ratio. Care is essential for interpretation of amended insulin to glucose ratios, and a diagnosis of insulinoma using the ratio must be made in conjunction with appropriate clinical signs of hypoglycaemia.
