PANCE Endocrinology Practice Test

In established type 1 diabetes, C-peptide levels are typically?

High Low Normal Absent

Correct Answer:

Low

Explanation:

C-peptide is released in equal amounts with endogenous insulin from functioning pancreatic beta cells, so it serves as a marker of the body's own insulin production. In established type 1 diabetes, autoimmune destruction severely reduces or eliminates beta-cell function, leading to very little or no endogenous insulin being produced. As a result, C-peptide levels fall to low (often undetectable) levels. Exogenous insulin therapy does not raise C-peptide because that insulin comes from outside the body. Some residual beta-cell activity can exist early on, but over time C-peptide typically becomes low, which is why low C-peptide is the typical finding in established type 1 diabetes.

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