Pancreatic Elastase (Faeces)

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Auckland Te Toka Tumai

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Pancreatic Elastase (Faeces)

Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Chemical Pathology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

FPEL

Test Code (Numeric Code)

3954

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

Separate sample is required if other faecal tests are requested

Transport

Please send sample on ice or frozen.

Laboratory

LabPLUS Endocrinology

Sample Stability

Room temperature: up to 8 hours. Refrigerated: up to 7 days. Frozen:12 months

Synonyms

Pancreatic Elastase

Turnaround Time

1 week

Specimen Type

Faecal

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Faeces Container (White Lid)

Acceptable

Please refer to Additional Information below

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Faeces Container (White Lid)
Please refer to Additional Information below

Additional Specimen Information

4 mg Collect Faeces (Always Required)

Diagnostic Use

Pancreatic elastase-1 is a pancreas-specific protease that can be found in faeces. As its production relates to exocrine pancreatic function and is relatively resistant to gut luminal degradation, the faecal pancreatic elastase test has been used as an indirect pancreatic function marker predominantly to either rule in or rule out severe exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Its ability to detect mild to moderate exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is considered poor to modest.

Unlike the faecal chymotrypsin test, it is not affected by faecal pH and also is not influenced by exogenous pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. However, both tests can be affected (falsely low result) by watery stool due to dilutional effect.

Interpretation

In the interpretation of a faecal pancreatic elastase result, the pre-test probability should be considered in conjunction with the commonly used cut point of 200 ug/g wet stool to achieve a more desirable diagnostic performance (also see section on reference intervals).

Reference Intervals

=200 ug/g

Not suggestive of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency especially in those with low pre-test probability (e.g. in those suspected of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea). In those with high pre-test probability (e.g. those with chronic pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis), around 10% with mild exocrine pancreatic insufficiency may be missed.

100 – 199 ug/g

Borderline result. It can reflect mild or moderate exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in those with high pre-test probability but it can also be encountered in individuals with normal pancreatic exocrine function especially with low pre-test probability

<100 ug/g

Suggestive of moderate to severe exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Test Method

Principle: Chemiluminescent Immunoassay

Analyser: Diasorin Liaison XL

Uncertainty of Measurement

40%

Last updated: 28/08/2026

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

Testing Laboratory

Department

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

Test Code (Numeric Code)

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

Transport

Laboratory

Sample Stability

Synonyms

Turnaround Time

Specimen Type

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Acceptable

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Additional Specimen Information

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

Transport to Lab

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

Diagnostic Use

Interpretation

Reference Intervals

Test Method

Uncertainty of Measurement

Contact Information

Enquiry Form

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Pancreatic Elastase (Faeces)

Overview

Testing Laboratory

Department

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

Test Code (Numeric Code)

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

Transport

Laboratory

Sample Stability

Synonyms

Turnaround Time

Specimen

Specimen Type

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Acceptable

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Additional Specimen Information

Referral

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

Transport to Lab

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

Clinical Information/Test Method

Diagnostic Use

Interpretation

Reference Intervals

Test Method

Uncertainty of Measurement

Additional Information

Contact Information

Contact Information

Enquiry Form

Search tests