Before a firm diagnosis can be made it is important to exclude all other possible hormonal abnormalities, and the diagnosis
generally involves a physical
exam, blood tests in addition to the
ultrasound.
Unfortunately, it is necessary to do exploratory surgery to get pancreatic samples, so it
generally makes more sense to consider
ultrasound exam and to check the lab work once a week for two or three weeks prior to considering this, unless the patient seems to be getting worse or if there is significant pain.