The Hammersmith Hospital has a pedigree in hormone assays. The technique of radioimmunoassay was pioneered after the war by Professor Russel Fraser, who led the way in measuring anterior pituitary hormones, particularly growth hormone, prolactin and ACTH.

Subsequently, the measurement of peptide hormones has been developed by Professor Stephen Bloom and Professor Mohammad Ghatei, and as a result, the department is the national centre for gut peptide hormone assays. This laboratory expertise has led to a natural progression of clinical expertise within the department.

Gut hormone assays

The Hammersmith Hospital runs all gut hormone assays for the UK.
Assays are available for:

• Gastrin
• Glucagon
• VIP
• Somatostatin
• pancreatic polypeptide (PP)
• neurotensin
• chromogranin A and chromogranin B

Clinical Use: Diagnosis of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (link to neuroendocrine tumour homepage of this site).

Patient Preparation: With patient at rest after a complete overnight fast, take blood (10 mL) using a syringe and needle. H2 blockers should be stopped for 72h and Omeprazole for two weeks, before blood is taken.

Sample Preparation:

Transfer the blood (10 mL) to a commercial heparin tube containing Trasylol (aprotinin, 0.2 mL, 2000 KIU). Mix by inversion. Place on ice and transfer to the laboratory. Separate the plasma in a refrigerated centrifuge. Aliquot known volumes of plasma (preferably into polypropylene tubes, in case of breakage in transit) and freeze at -20oC within 15 minutes of venepuncture. Visible haemolysis invalidates the result.

If from oversease, freeze-dry (lyophilise) the samples in vacuo, until all water content has been completely removed. State clearly and indelibly the patient's name (in English) and the reconstitution volume of each vial on every sample and also on accompanying forms. Seal in vacuo, or under dry N2. Send by post to the address shown below. Record on the request form the patient's serum calcium and urea levels, a list of all drugs currently administered, details of any gastric surgery the patient has undergone and the basal and stimulated acid output (if available).

Send samples for gut hormones to:
SAS Reception
G Block
North Corridor
Hammersmith Hospital
Du Cane Road
LONDON W12 0HS
Tel: 020 8383 2148

For queries about the supraregional assay service:
Department of Endocrinology & Diabetes
Hammersmith Hospital
6th Floor Commonwealth Building
Du Cane Road
London W12 OHS
Tel: 020 8383 3949
Fax: 020 8383 3142