Elastase

What this laboratory test evaluates

Fecal elastase is a specific marker for pancreatic function and maintains a high diagnostic accuracy among patients with small intestinal diseases. This pancreatic elastase marker allows for the diagnosis or exclusion of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and degree of severity, which can be caused by chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, pancreatic tumor, cholelithiasis or diabetes mellitus. This pancreatic elastase test does not differentiate between pancreatic insufficiency due to chronic pancreatitis and that due to pancreatic cancer.

Collection and processing

• Sample type: Stool
• Fasting: No
• Estimated laboratory processing: Results should arrive 4 to 6 days after the lab receives samples.

How Sunridge uses laboratory information

Sunridge considers the medical question, symptoms, history, medications, prior results, and whether the finding could change care before recommending testing. A laboratory result is not interpreted in isolation and does not establish a diagnosis by itself.

Before requesting this test

Availability, collection requirements, eligibility, and processing estimates can change. Sunridge reviews each request and, when appropriate, creates the order through Fullscript. Follow the current instructions supplied with the approved order.

Related Sunridge care

Learn how Sunridge approaches Digestive Conditions and ask whether this test is appropriate for your clinical question.