Interpretation. Pancreatic elastase concentrations above 200 mcg/g are normal and are not indicative of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Pancreatic elastase concentrations from 100 to 200 mcg/g are suggestive for moderate exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
What are the first signs of pancreatic insufficiency?
bloating. cramps, discomfort, or pain in the abdomen. diarrhea. loose, greasy, bad-smelling stools. passing excess gas, or flatulence. weight loss.
What is the principle of elastase test?
This particular test detects the levels of the enzyme “elastase” in the stool. Elastase passes down the digestive tract and is eliminated via the faeces. Normal levels of elastase in the stool indicate an optimally working pancreas. However, abnormal values of elastase point towards a pancreatic abnormality.
What is the interpretation of faecal elastase test?
Interpretation: Faecal elastase is reduced in pancreatic exocrine failure. Malabsorption is not usually obvious until > 95% of the pancreas has been destroyed. Values of 100-200 µg/g indicate moderate, and < 100 µg/g severe, pancreatic insufficiency.
What does it mean when your pancreatic elastase is high Related Questions
What is the importance of elastase?
Elastase (EC 3.4. 21.36) is a serine protease produced by the pancreas that catalyzes cleavage of carboxyl groups present on small hydrophobic amino acids, such as glycine, alanine, and valine. Its primary role is the breakdown of elastin, a protein that imparts elasticity to connective tissue.
What causes pancreatic elastase?
Causes of this damage include chronic pancreatitis, alcohol abuse, pancreatic cancer, type 1 diabetes, genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis or Shwachman-Diamond syndrome, inflammation from digestive diseases such as Crohn’s disease or celiac disease, or as a complication from surgery on the pancreas or nearby …
Can pancreatic insufficiency be cured?
There’s no cure for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), a chronic condition characterized by an inability to digest certain nutrients, especially fat. But EPI can be managed with a type of medication called pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), which consists of enzymes that aid digestion.
What are signs that something is wrong with your pancreas?
pain or tenderness in the abdomen that is severe or becomes worse. nausea and vomiting. fever or chills. fast heartbeat. shortness of breath. yellowish color of the skin or whites of the eyes, called jaundice.
What is the best treatment for pancreatic insufficiency?
To treat EPI, doctors typically prescribe PERT. PERT involves taking pills that contain pancreatic enzymes. PERT can improve your symptoms and help you get enough nutrients from what you eat and drink. PERT is taken during meals or snacks to help your small intestine with digestion.
How accurate is elastase test?
Abstract. Introduction Faecal elastase-1(FE-1) is a widely available, simple, cheap indirect pancreatic function test used in patients in whom pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) is suspected. Sensitivity is 73–100% for moderate to severe, but 0–63% for mild PEI 1.
What are symptoms of low elastase?
One of the most useful symptoms is floating, difficult to flush away stool. Weight loss is a common symptom due to fat malabsorption and is commonly associated with deficiencies of fat-soluble vitamins particularly vitamin D.
What is the normal range for stool elastase?
Fecal pancreatic elastase 1 (FPE1) assay (ScheBo Tech) has been proposed as a reliable test to evaluate pancreatic exocrine function, with sensitivities of up to 100% in diagnosing CP. Cutoff values (microgram/g stool) of < 100 have been suggested as SCP, 100-200 as MCP, and > 200 as normal.
How serious is pancreatic insufficiency?
Damage to the cells producing pancreatic enzymes leads to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, which is a serious problem leading to malnutrition, complications, and poor quality of life.
When should I check my faecal elastase?
You may need a stool elastase test if you or your child has symptoms of pancreatic insufficiency. These include: Abdominal pain. Smelly, greasy stools.
What causes low pancreatic elastase in stool?
Elastase can be detected and measured in the stool when a person’s pancreas is functioning normally. The level in the stool is decreased when the exocrine tissues of the pancreas are not producing sufficient elastase and other digestive enzymes. This condition is called exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
What is another name for elastase?
Pancreatic elastase 1 is a serine endopeptidase, a specific type of protease that has the amino acid serine at its active site. Although the recommended name is pancreatic elastase, it can also be referred to as elastase-1, pancreatopeptidase, PE, or serine elastase.
What medication is used for pancreatic elastase?
CREON (pancrelipase) is a prescription medicine used to treat people who cannot digest food normally because their pancreas does not make enough enzymes. This condition is called EPI (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency) and may be due to cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatectomy, or other conditions.
Why would you need pancreatic enzymes?
When the pancreas does not produce enough enzymes to break down food, pancreatic enzyme products are needed. Doctors sometimes prescribe digestive enzymes, including pancreatic enzymes, to patients who have conditions that cause poor absorption. These products help improve digestion and absorption of food.
What is the most common cause of pancreatic insufficiency?
Although the most common cause of EPI is chronic pancreatitis, several other causes also result in EPI. These include pancreatic tumors, pancreas resection, and cystic fibrosis (CF).
What disease causes pancreatic insufficiency?
Pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis and other conditions that affect the pancreas cause exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). People with EPI don’t have enough pancreatic (digestive) enzymes to break down foods and absorb nutrients. It can lead to malnutrition.