Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)
VIP is a naturally occurring 28 amino acid hormone produced by the pancreatic islet α-cells. VIP is an inhibitory neuropeptide found in intrinsic neural elements throughout the gastrointestinal tract, from the oesophagus to the rectum, and also in the salivary glands and pancreas. In the rare pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (NET) called VIPoma, VIP is secreted in excess. Therefore, plasma VIP measurements can be used in the biochemical diagnosis of VIPoma. VIP is measured as part of the Gut Hormone profile.
Suspected gastrinoma/somatostatinoma or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: hypergastrinaemia, dyspepsia, diarrhoea, steatorrhoea, mixed endocrinopathy
VIPoma: watery diarrhoea, hypokalaemia, achlorhydria, hypotension and flushing/vasodilation
Glucagonoma: hyperglycaemia refractory to insulin, skin lesions, diarrhoea and stomatitis
0-30 pmol/L
For sample, sample volume and sample container, see Gut Hormones
Record last updated
August 28, 2025
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Find out more about our accreditations on the UKAS website.
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