Laboratory: Clinical Biochemistry
Test Name:
ELASTASE 1 - (F)
Test Code: MIS8
Clinical Information:
Test Indications: Fecal elastase  testing  is used for the diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency resulting in fat malabsorption.
 

Steatorrhea should be confirmed by FECAL FAT (NEUTRAL AND SPLIT) QUALITATIVE - HSC - (F) testing prior to ordering this test.

 

Pancreatic Elastase-1 is an enzyme produced by pancreatic acinar cells and plays an important role in digestion. Its measurement is indicated for the diagnosis of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI). Clinical symptoms of EPI include: weight loss, abdominal pain, bloating, steatorrhea, and chronic diarrhea. EPI is most commonly caused by chronic pancreatitis or as a consequence of gastrointestinal surgery, especially the Whipple procedure. EPI may also be observed in patients with Cystic Fibrosis or Schwachman-Diamond syndrome.
 
Total pancreatic enzyme production can be estimated by measuring Elastase-1 concentrations in feces. Decreased Elastase-1 is strongly suggestive of EPI.

 

Test Approval Requirements: Clinical Biochemist Approval Required.
This test is only available to Hepatology and Gastroenterology specialists, and requires prior approval by a Clinical Biochemist.
 

Click here for the Approval for Test Referral Biochemistry form (F260-11-02)

 
Collection Devices:
Preferred Device:
1 - Sterile Specimen Container (100 mL)


Sterile Specimen Container (100 mL)
Manufacturer:

Catalogue #:
 - Collect a random feces specimen and submit to the lab as soon as possible.
Specimen Required:
Feces : 5.0 g

Additional specimens should be collected if other tests are also being ordered.


Record specimen appearance (liquid, semi-solid, solid) at the registration using VFR format.

 

Rejection criteria:

1)     Watery diarrhea specimen is not suitable for testing. Dilutional effects result in falsely low elastase levels.

2)     Specimen received refrigerated or at ambient temperature more than 72 hours post-collection will be rejected. Store and ship frozen.


Specimen Stability: Ambient- 72 hours

                                  Refrigerated- 72 hours

                                  Frozen: 28 days
Referral:

Shipping & Storage: Store and ship frozen.


Referred Out Location: Specimen referred from HSC-MS5 to:

 

In-Common Laboratories
57 Gervais Drive
North York, Ontario
M3C 1Z2
Telephone: (416) 422-3000
Test ID: ELAS F
Testing location: Sick Kids, Toronto, ON
Requisition:
Reference Values:
<100 µg/g:  Strongly suggestive of Pancreatic Insufficiency
100 - 200 µg/g:  Suggestive of moderate Pancreatic Dysfunction
≥200 µg/g:  Suggestive of Pancreatic Sufficiency
 
Reference values apply to all ages.


Method of Analysis: Chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA); DiaSorin Liaison XL
Availability:
Within 4 Weeks
See Also:
More Information: