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C-Peptide

Meaning

C-Peptide, or connecting peptide, is a short protein fragment released by the pancreatic beta-cells into the bloodstream in equimolar amounts with endogenous insulin. This peptide is physiologically inert but serves as the most reliable clinical biomarker for quantifying the body’s native insulin production capacity. Its measurement is critical for differentiating between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and for assessing residual beta-cell function in patients receiving exogenous insulin therapy. The concentration of C-Peptide provides an accurate window into the functional health of the pancreas.