Your doctor has suggested you have a secretin stimulation test as part of the evaluation at National Jewish Health. Secretin is a hormone that is produced by the small intestine when partially digested food in present. When secretin is given to you during this test, certain chemicals may be increased in your blood. This is measured during the test. This test can help your doctor determine a diagnosis and the best treatment for you.
Preparing for the Test
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight, the night before the test. No food or drink is allowed until the test is completed.
Let your doctor know about all the medicine you take.
- The doctor who prescribes your insulin may have you change the dose the day before and the day of the test.
- Let your doctor know if you are taking Atropine as this may decrease the test response.
- Let your doctor know if you are taking Cimetidine, Ranitidine, Catecholamines, Insulin and Haloperidol as they may increase the test response.
Let your doctor know if you have acute pancreatitis.
Acid suppressive medicines are stopped before the test to avoid effects on gastrin release.
- Stop Proton Pump inhibitors 5 DAYSbefore your appointment:
- Prilosec® (omeprazole), Prevacid® (lansoprazole), Nexium® (esomeprazole), Protonix®, Pantoloc® (pantoprazole), Aciphex® (rabeprazole), Dexilant® (dexlansoprazole).
- Stop H2 Receptor Antagonist 2 DAYSbefore your appointment:
- Zantac® (ranitidine), Tagamet® (cimetidine), Axid® (nizatidine), Pepcid® (famotidine)
Stop Over the Counter antacids and anti-reflux medications 24 HOURS before your appointment:
- Tums, Rolaids, calcium carbonate antacids, Gaviscon, Maalox
DO take any heart, blood pressure or seizure medications at least 2 hours prior to leaving home for test with a few small sips of water.
If you are diabetic, please bring your glucose meter, test strips, and a source of fast-acting glucose with you (such as glucose tablets or glucose gel).
During the Test
When you arrive the nurse will explain what will be done before, during and after the test. If you have any questions, please ask. The nurse will place an IV catheter in your arm. The IV will be used to give you secretin during the test. Blood will be drawn periodically from the IV during the test. Once all the blood samples have been withdrawn, the nurse will remove the IV catheter from your arm and place a dressing on the site. You will be given instructions on signs and symptoms of infection at the IV site before you are discharged.
Length of the Test
The secretin stimulation test takes about 1 hour. You will be notified of your test results about 3 weeks after your test.
After the Test
You can resume normal diet and activities after the test as directed by your doctor.
Day of the Test
On the day of your scheduled test, check in at the front desk. If you have questions or need to cancel or change your appointment, please call 303.398.1355.
This information has been reviewed and approved by Neil W. Toribara, MD, PhD
(April 2015).
