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Pancreatic Elastase 1 (E1) in Stool

Fecal Elastase, E1

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB6122, Beaker: XPE1F, Mayo: ELASF

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: Random stool specimen in a sterile collection container without preservatives.

• If specimen cannot be sent immediately, freeze and send frozen (preferred).
• Separate specimens must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered. If only a single specimen is collected, it must be split prior to transport.
• Testing cannot be added on to a previously collected specimen.
• Pancreatic enzyme supplementation therapy should be discontinued prior to collection.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below) specimen after collection and prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Stool specimen, Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 1.0 g)

Rejection Criteria

• Stool collected from diaper.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below) specimen after collection and prior to transport.

Transport: Stool specimen, Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 1.0 g) 

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 72 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 72 hours
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 28 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Mayo Laboratories, Rochester, MN.

Performed

Monday – Friday
Results available 5-8 days.

Reference Range

<100 mcg/g (Severe Pancreatic Insufficiency)

100-200 mcg/g (Moderate Pancreatic Insufficiency)

>200 mcg/g (Normal)

Reference values apply to all ages.

Test Methodology

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

Interpretation

Decreased amounts of pancreatic elastase in feces are not diagnostic for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) and normal concentrations do not exclude the possibility of EPI.

Consistency of raw fecal sample may affect analytical performance.

Clinical Utility

Quantifying elastase 1 (E1) can help in the diagnosis or exclusion of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, which can be caused by chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, or diabetes mellitus.

CPT Codes

83520

Contacts

Last Updated

10/8/2023