C-peptide is not a hormone. It is a peptide that is produced in the pancreas along with insulin.
What is C-peptide?
C-peptide is a small protein fragment that is released from the pancreas along with insulin. While insulin helps regulate blood sugar levels, C-peptide does not have a known hormonal function.
Why is C-peptide important?
Even though C-peptide is not a hormone, it is a useful marker for:
- Insulin production: Since C-peptide is released in equal amounts with insulin, measuring C-peptide levels can indicate how much insulin the pancreas is producing.
- Type 1 diabetes: In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce insulin, so C-peptide levels are low.
- Type 2 diabetes: In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas may produce insulin, but not enough, or the body may not respond properly to insulin. C-peptide levels can help determine the cause of the diabetes.
C-peptide vs. Insulin
While both C-peptide and insulin are produced together, they have different functions:
- Insulin: Regulates blood sugar levels by allowing glucose to enter cells.
- C-peptide: Does not have a known hormonal function.
In Summary
C-peptide is a peptide, not a hormone, but it is a valuable marker for insulin production and can be used to diagnose and monitor diabetes.
