Pancreatic elastase - faecal
Last updated: Wednesday, 31, March, 2004
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See Trypsin - faeces and Chymotrypsin - faeces.
| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | 5 g faeces (random) frozen immediately after collection. |
| Method | Immunoassay. |
| Reference Interval | Normal > 200 µg/g. |
| Application | Diagnosis of pancreatic exocrine failure. |
| 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. |
| Reference | Sonwalkar SA et al. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2003; 17(3): 467-471. |