Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPurposeLow ElastaseHigh ElastaseAfter Measuring Pancreatic Elastase
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Purpose
Low Elastase
High Elastase
After Measuring Pancreatic Elastase
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Purpose of Pancreatic Elastase Stool Test
Pancreatic elastase is a digestive enzyme that plays an important role in how your body breaks down and uses food. The pancreas produces and releases elastase when your body successfully breaksproteins, fats, andcarbohydratesinto nutrients that can be used as energy.
The fecal elastase test involves collecting and sending a stool sample to a laboratory. If the test reveals a low amount of elastase in your stool, it could indicate that your pancreas isn’t making or releasing enough elastase. It could also mean that you’re not absorbing enough nutrients from your food. This could be due to acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) pancreatitis or other conditions.
Low Pancreatic Elastase Results
A low pancreatic elastase result is typically defined as less than 200 micrograms/g (μg/g). This is often due to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
Low pancreatic elastase results may be due to:
How Stool Looks
Associated Symptoms
In addition to frequent loose stools, other symptoms of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency may include:
What About High Elastase Results?
Researchers haven’t identified any upper limit for normal elastase results. No health conditions have yet been associated with overly high results on a fetal elastase test.
In fact, some research suggests that FE-1 test results within the range of 200 and 500 μg/g could be deemed “borderline” abnormal and indicative of a need for further testing formalabsorption. One study found that 71% of patients with related symptoms and a pancreatic elastase test result within this range benefited from treatment for malabsorption.
Your healthcare provider will likely recommend follow-up testing if you get a low result on a pancreatic elastase test. This may involve blood tests for evidence of malnutrition, such as vitamin deficiencies, as well as bone density assessments.
If you’re diagnosed with EPI,pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy(PERT) is usually the first-line treatment of choice. You’ll take digestive enzymes in capsule form alongside meals, which can relieve your symptoms and improve the digestive process. Your healthcare provider might also recommend making certain lifestyle changes, such as reducing alcohol intake and quitting smoking.
Summary
If you get a low result on a pancreatic elastase test, your healthcare provider will most likely recommend further testing to follow up. If your EPI diagnosis is confirmed, pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) could help.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Stool elastase.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.Lam KW, Leeds J.How to manage: patient with a low faecal elastase.Frontline Gastroenterol. 2019;12(1):67-73. doi:10.1136/flgastro-2018-101171National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.Struyvenberg MR, Martin CR, Freedman SD.Practical guide to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency - breaking the myths.BMC Med. 2017;15(1):29. doi:10.1186/s12916-017-0783-yMathew A, Fernandes D, Andreyev HJN.What is the significance of a faecal elastase-1 level between 200 and 500μg/g?Frontline Gastroenterol. 2023;14(5):371-376. doi:10.1136/flgastro-2022-102271National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Stool elastase.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.Lam KW, Leeds J.How to manage: patient with a low faecal elastase.Frontline Gastroenterol. 2019;12(1):67-73. doi:10.1136/flgastro-2018-101171National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.Struyvenberg MR, Martin CR, Freedman SD.Practical guide to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency - breaking the myths.BMC Med. 2017;15(1):29. doi:10.1186/s12916-017-0783-yMathew A, Fernandes D, Andreyev HJN.What is the significance of a faecal elastase-1 level between 200 and 500μg/g?Frontline Gastroenterol. 2023;14(5):371-376. doi:10.1136/flgastro-2022-102271National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Stool elastase.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.Lam KW, Leeds J.How to manage: patient with a low faecal elastase.Frontline Gastroenterol. 2019;12(1):67-73. doi:10.1136/flgastro-2018-101171National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.Struyvenberg MR, Martin CR, Freedman SD.Practical guide to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency - breaking the myths.BMC Med. 2017;15(1):29. doi:10.1186/s12916-017-0783-yMathew A, Fernandes D, Andreyev HJN.What is the significance of a faecal elastase-1 level between 200 and 500μg/g?Frontline Gastroenterol. 2023;14(5):371-376. doi:10.1136/flgastro-2022-102271National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
MedlinePlus.Stool elastase.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
Lam KW, Leeds J.How to manage: patient with a low faecal elastase.Frontline Gastroenterol. 2019;12(1):67-73. doi:10.1136/flgastro-2018-101171
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
Struyvenberg MR, Martin CR, Freedman SD.Practical guide to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency - breaking the myths.BMC Med. 2017;15(1):29. doi:10.1186/s12916-017-0783-y
Mathew A, Fernandes D, Andreyev HJN.What is the significance of a faecal elastase-1 level between 200 and 500μg/g?Frontline Gastroenterol. 2023;14(5):371-376. doi:10.1136/flgastro-2022-102271
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
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