Elastase (faeces)

Referred to Berkshire & Surrey Pathology Services, Frimley Park Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Portsmouth Road, Frimley, Surrey GU16 7UJ
 

Alternative names, keywords

Faecal elastase

Samples required

Formed stool, minimum pea-sized volume. Please DO NOT overfill containers.

Liquid samples are not suitable.

If requesting more than one faecal analysis please send separate samples for each as storage requirements differ.

Patients should stop pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy at least 5 days prior to providing a stool sample.

Note that the referral laboratory that carries out this test requires FOUR points of identification on sample containers: 

 - First name

 - Surname

 - Date of birth

 - Hospital ID number or NHS number

Samples lacking the required patient ID are likely to be rejected by referral laboratory.

  

Test indications

Suspected pancreatic insufficiency.

Reference range

> 200 µg/g

normal

100 - 200 µg/g

mild exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

< 100 µg/g

severe exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

Polyclonal antibody assay: reference range only valid when patients are not taking pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy.

Turnaround time

Referral lab quotes turnaround time of 5 days, however additional time must be allowed for packing, dispatch and delivery of sample, and return and processing of results.

Enquiries

Biochemistry (Referrals)

 

Details