What are the causes of elevated gastrin levels?
Gastrin is a hormone that triggers the stomach to produce stomach acid. It is released into the blood due to an undigested food entering the stomach. Increased gastrin levels are a symptom of several diseases and conditions. Increased levels may be the result of certain stomach conditions, or may be caused by a type of malignant tumor produced by gastrin. The laboratory finding of the increased level of gastrin deserves a thorough examination by a doctor. The causes of elevated levels can be grouped into two categories: either the disease or condition causes the body to produce another gastrin, or the neoplasm produces another gastrin. In both cases, treatment is not aimed at lowering the gastrin level, but on the axle the basic cause. If the basic cause can be treated, gastrin levels return to normal.stritis, it can cause high levels of gastrin. The stomach distribution will also increase the level of gastrin present in the blood. Increased gastrin levels sometimes occur as a side effect of other conditions. Pernicious anemia, reToatid arthritis and diabetes mellitus sometimes occur laboratory findings of excess gastrin. Any condition that increases stomach pH, such as stomach ulcers, will also cause excessive release of gastrin.
elevated gastrin levels are one of the three diagnostic criteria for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Syndrome is a combination of one or more gastrinomas, hypergastrinemia and severe ulcers. Gastrinomas are tumors that secrete gastrin, causing elevated hormone levels. Tumors usually appear in a pancreatic or duodenum. Up to 50 percent of gastrinomas are malignant.
In the absence of other conditions, hypergastrinemy is average of one or more gastrinomes. In addition to Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, tumors sometimes develop as a result of hyperthyroidism or pituitary. Gastrinomas can also develop without any predispositional conditions. Elevated levels of gasTrin may also occur due to renal failure or colon cancer.
Gastrin levels are measured using the blood test on an empty stomach. Gastrin is released when foods enter the stomach, so blood tests without speed have no value. Several drugs such as protein pump inhibitors, opiates and aspirin may disrupt gastrin testing and cause incorrect values. Before testing, the physician directs the patient how far before the test to break the use of these drugs.