Faecal Elastase
Address: for Samples:
Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust,
Pathology Department, Dudley Road,
Birmingham, B18 7QH
Contact Points
The pancreas has both exocrine and endocrine functions. The exocrine function involves production and secretion of various enzymes essential for normal
digestion, including trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase, amylase and pancreatic elastase. Loss of exocrine pancreatic function leads to maldigestion and
malabsorption, and is seen in conditions such as chronic pancreatitis, coeliac disease, pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis.
Unlike other pancreatic enzymes, pancreatic elastase is stable during intestinal passage and can be detected in the faeces. Levels of faecal elastase have
been shown to correlate well with other direct and indirect tests of pancreatic function, and so the faecal elastase test is a simple, non-invasive test for the
investigation of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. The assay is highly specific for the human isoform, and it is not affected by previous gastrointestinal
surgery, gastric dysmotility or mucosal disease of the small intestine. Furthermore, pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy with pancreatin (e.g. Creon,
Pancrex, Nutrizyme, Pancrease) does not interfere with the faecal elastase measurement.
Our laboratory offers analysis of faecal elastase for the assessment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. We analyse samples from laboratories across the UK
and we also accept referrals from outside the UK. Our standard turn-around time is 3 working day and we are able to provide electronic reporting via email
or NPEx. For clinical advice and interpretation of results the laboratory can be contacted directly.
Download a copy
of our April 2019
Pathology News.
It contains a
comprehensive list
of all our assays
along with turn
round times and
prices.
Preferred Sample Type
Faecal Elastase-1 Test of Exocrine Pancreatic
Function
Download our clinical user
information leaflet. It
provides you with key
detailed information
about our assay including
reference ranges.
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