Biochemistry

Preferred Sample Type

Faecal Elastase-1

Suitable Specimen Types

Faeces

Faecal Elastase-1

Specimen Volume

500 mg

Specimen Transport

First Class Post

Sample Preparation

Requires a formed stool specimen. Watery stool samples can give falsely low results.

Turnaround Time

15 days

Sample Processing In Laboratory

Usual

Sample Stability

Stable when stored at 4oC for 9 days (Also stable at room temperature for 9 days)

General Information

Pancreatic elastase is secreted by acinar cells in the pancreas. It is not degraded during transfer through the intestine, therefore the faecal concentrations reflects pancreatic exocrine function.

Faecal elastase is a non invasive assessment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. Its measurement has been shown to correlate well with more invasive 'tube' and 'tubeless' tests of exocrine pancreatic function such as the Secretin Pancreozymin test and the Pancreolauryl test.

Faecal elastase may also have role in the assessment of cystic fibrosis patients.

Administration of bovine or porcine pancreatic supplements do not interfere with the test for faecal elastase, which is a distinct advantage over other pancreatic enzymes such as trypsin, chymotrypsin or amylase.

Very wet stool samples may give falsely low elastase levels and require confirmation on a formed sample to confirm pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.

 

Patient Preparation

None

Notes

None Given

Reference Range

Normal: >200 ug/g

Mild to moderate exocrine pancreatic insufficiency: 100 – 200 ug/g

Severe exocrine pancreatic insufficiency: <100 ug/g

Source of Reference Range

Phillips ME, Hopper AD, Leeds JS, et alConsensus for the management of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency: UK practical guidelinesBMJ Open Gastroenterology 2021;8:e000643. doi: 10.1136/bmjgast-2021-000643

Specifications

  • EQA Status: UKNEQAS
  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

Creation Date

Monday, 08 August 2011

Modification Date

Thursday, 29 February 2024

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Protection of Personal Information – Clinical Laboratory Services comply with the Trust Data Protection Policy and have procedures in place to allow the Directorate and it’s employees to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and associated best practice and guidance.

University Hospitals Birmingham medical laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/

  • Molecular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8759
  • Biochemistry is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8910
  • Haematology and Transfusion is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8784
  • Clinical Microbiology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8760
  • Cellular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 10141
  • Musculoskeletal laboratory is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 9897
  • Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospital pathology laboratories are a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8217.

Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.

For further test information, please visit the test database: http://qehbpathology.uk/test-database

For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 371 5962