Fasting Serum Gastrin Levels in Humans with Low Pentagastrin-Stimulated Gastric Acid Secretion

Abstract

Gedde-Dahl, D. Fasting serum gastrin levels in humans with low penta-gastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion. Scand. J. Gastroent. 1974, 9, 597–599.

Mean fasting serum gastrin concentration was 231 pg/ml, and an inverse correlation between pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion and fasting serum gastrin concentration was found in 114 patients with a stimulated gastric acid secretion lower than 11 mEq/h. In contrast, the mean fasting gastrin level in 19 patients with stimulated gastric acid secretion 11.0–11.9 mEq/h was 62 pg/ml. Of twelve patients with 10.0–10.9 mEq/h, seven women had normal mean serum gastrin level, 69 pg/ml, five men elevated mean fasting serum gastrin level, 130 pg/ml, the difference being statistically significant at a level p<0.02. The lower limit of the normal range of pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion and the limitations of using fasting serum gastrin determinations as screening for hypochlorhydria and achlorhydria are discussed in view of the results presented.

Key-words::

• Fasting state
• gastric acid secretion
• gastrin
• humans
• normal limits
• radioimmunoassay