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Faecal Elastase Test of Pancreatic Enzyme Function
Order a Faecal Elastase Test to check the enzyme function of your pancreas.
With our easy at home stool kit, you'll have your faecal elastase levels in days, tested in an accredited lab and reviewed by a doctor.
Results and doctor's report in 8 days or less
Free, next-working day delivery
Measures faecal elastase enzymeWhat you need to know about our Faecal Elastase Test
Your pancreas is essential to gut health as it releases several enzymes into your bowel to digest carbohydrate, fat and protein. If your pancreas isn't releasing these enzymes you can struggle with chronic diarrhoea and weight loss, with pale, loose, fatty stools that float. This is called "panreactic exocrine insufficiency" or "PEI".
We can check it your pancreas is producing enough enzymes by measuring the level of elastase in your stool.
What causes pancreatic enzyme insufficiency (PEI)?
Pancreatic enzyme problems are not common if you're otherwise in good health. The causes of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency include:
- Chronic pancreatitis & high alcohol intake
- Diabetes
- Ageing - 5% of people over 70 years old have PEI
- Coeliac disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Bariatric (weight loss) surgery
- Pancreatic tumours
- Cystic fibrosis (children)
- Smoking
What are the symptoms of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency?
Pancreatic enzyme insufficiency causes maldigestion and malabsorption. Common symptoms of pancratic enzyme insufficiency include:
- Chronic diarrhoea
- Steatorrhoea - loose, pale, greasy stools that float
- Bloating
- Stomach pain
- Weight loss
- Vitamin deficiencies - high risk of deficiency of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D E and K in particular
What does our Faecal Elastase Test check for and why?
Your pancreas releases enzymes that help you digest your food. We can check the ability of your pancreas to release these enzymes by measuring the levels of elastase in your stool.
Elastase is an enzyme released into your gut by the pancreas and is therefore a marker of how well the pancreas is able to release enzymes. A low faecal elastase level can indicate pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.
What do the Faecal Elastase test results mean?
We interpret the levels of elastase in stool as follows:
| Elastase level (µg/g) | Meaning |
| >250 | Normal |
| 200 - 250 | Borderline - consider repeating the elastase test |
| 100 - 200 | Mild to moderate pancreatic exocrine insufficiency |
| <100 | Severe pancreatic exocrine insufficiency |
This test measures your faecal elastase and if the level of elastase in your stool is low, it can mean that your pancreas is not performing as it should. An elastase level over 200µg/g is considered normal. However, if you have typical symptoms of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and a borderline elastase level of 200-250µg/g you should consider repeating the elastase test. A faecal elastase level under 200µg/g may indicate pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and further tests are usually needed.
How it works
Do your test
You'll get your kit next-working day.
Collect your sample at home and send it back to our UKAS-accredited lab for analysis.
Get rapid results
We'll let you know when the lab have received your sample for analysis.
You'll get your results and doctor's report in your online dashboard. You'll also be able to download your formal lab report to share with your GP if you wish.
Improve your health
Numbers are useful but it's what you do with them that counts.
We'll give you advice on how to improve your health based on your results. You can also book a consultation to discuss your results with one of doctors (costs extra).
Faecal Elastase Test FAQs
A low faecal elastase does not mean you definitely have pancreatic enzyme insuffiency (PEI). The elastase level needs to be put into context with your medical history and symptoms. This is best done with a doctor.
If the elastase level is borderline or you don't have typical symptoms of pancreatic enzyme insufficiency, then it's often sensible to repeat the elastase test.
If PEI is considered likely, you would usually have a CT or MRI scan of the pancreas to try and understand what's causing the problem. If nothing is seen on imaging then your doctor might look for causes of PEI such as inflammatory bowel disease or coeliac disease.
The main treatment for pancreatic enzyme insufficiency is pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). This is where you take a combination of replacement enzymes (amylase, lipase and protease) with meals.
Studies suggest that about 80% of people with a low elastase level experience an improvement in their symptoms by taking PERT. It's also recommended to reduce alcohol intake and stop smoking.
Your faecal elastase level should be over 200µg/g. However, if you have typical symptoms of pancreatic enzyme insufficiency such as diarrhoea, weight loss and pale, fatty stools, you should consider repeating the elastase test if your level is in the borderline range between 200 - 250µg/g.
You do not need to stop taking pancreatic enzyme supplements (e.g. Creon, Pancrease) before taking the faecal elastase test.
We do not recommend using this test panel if you have acute diarrhoea. Very watery stool can dilute the elastase, giving falsely low level. If you have acute diarrhoea, you should let it settle before testing.
If you're unsure if you should use this test panel, please contact us for advice.
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