CPT® Code 82943

The CPT® Code 82943 refers to a laboratory test specifically designed to measure the level of glucagon, which is a crucial hormone produced by the pancreas. Glucagon plays a significant role in glucose metabolism by raising blood sugar levels; it does this by stimulating the liver to release glycogen stores through a process known as glycogenolysis. This test is particularly important in the clinical setting for evaluating and monitoring conditions such as glucagonoma, which is a type of tumor that produces excess glucagon, as well as other tumors that may also secrete glucagon. To perform this test, a blood sample is collected, typically through a procedure known as venipuncture, which is separately reportable. The plasma obtained from the blood sample is then analyzed using a qualitative radioimmunoassay, a sensitive technique that allows for the detection and quantification of glucagon levels in the plasma.