What does faecal elastase test for?
A stool elastase test is used to find out if there is pancreatic insufficiency. This test is better at finding severe pancreatic insufficiency, rather than mild or moderate cases. Pancreatic insufficiency can sometimes be a sign of pancreatic cancer, but this test is not used to screen for or diagnose cancer.
What does high elastase mean?
Pancreatic elastase concentrations above 200 mcg/g are normal and are not indicative of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Pancreatic elastase concentrations from 100-200 mcg/g are suggestive for moderate exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
What causes low 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 elastase stool?
Elastase is an enzyme produced by special (exocrine) tissue in the pancreas. This test measures the amount of elastase in stool (feces) to help evaluate whether a person’s pancreas is functioning properly. The pancreas is an organ located in the abdomen that consists of two kinds of tissues: exocrine and endocrine.
What are the symptoms of pancreatic enzyme deficiency?
What are the symptoms of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)?
- Abdominal pain, gas and bloating.
- Constipation.
- Diarrhea.
- Fatty stools (pale, oily, foul-smelling poop that floats).
- Unexplained weight loss or failure to thrive in infants and children.
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.
How is low pancreatic elastase treated?
You can’t cure EPI, but pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy can greatly reduce uncomfortable digestive symptoms. Follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations for taking PERT, and be sure to take it with every meal or snack. A dietitian can help you get the fats, nutrients and vitamins you need for good health.
What does low pancreatic elastase fecal mean?
Stool pancreatic elastase is a marker used to define exocrine pancreatic function, with low levels indicating the presence of pancreatic insufficiency which can be the result of a number of different ailments such as chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, diabetes and Crohn’s disease1.
What foods should be avoided with pancreatic insufficiency?
Avoidfried, creamy, or cheesy foods, such as pastries. You’ll also want to avoid trans fat, a hydrogenated oil and particularly unhealthy type of fat that’s often found in packaged food, says Massey, and steer clear of alcohol. While it may take some planning, it’s possible to eat a healthy, satisfying diet.