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HelpTest Code FPCEL Elastase, Pancreatic, Serum
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation: The patient should fast for 10 to 12 hours prior to collection of specimen. Medications that affect pancreatic activity should be discontinued, if possible, for at least 48 hours prior to collection of specimen.
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Red top
Acceptable: Serum gel
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 3 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Draw blood in a plain, red-top or a serum gel tube(s).
2. Centrifuge as soon as possible, aliquot 3 mL of serum into a plastic vial, and freeze immediately.
3. Send frozen.
Secondary ID
75901Method Name
Direct radioimmunoassay (RIA)
Reporting Name
Pancreatic Elastase-1Specimen Type
SerumSpecimen Minimum Volume
1 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Frozen (preferred) | 365 days | |
| Refrigerated | 7 days | ||
| Ambient | 72 hours |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | Reject |
| Gross icterus | Reject |
Clinical Information
Serum Elastase, also called Pancreatopeptidase, is a protease present in pancreatic secretion with the unique ability to rapidly hydrolyze elastin. Elastin is a fibrillar protein found in connective tissue. Elastin forms the elastic fibers found mostly in lungs and skin. Elastase is able to hydrolyze denatured hemoglobin, casein, fibrin, albumin and denatured but not native collagen. Elastase has been implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary emphysema, atherosclerosis and in the vascular injury of acute pancreatic necrosis. Elastase activity is inhibited by protease inhibitors including a1-Anti-Trypsin, a1-anti-Chymotrypsin, anti-Thrombin III, a2-Macroglobulin and b1-anti-Collagenase. Patients with thyroid dysfunction have decreased Elastase activity. Serum pancreatic levels quantify EL 1 for the diagnosis or exclusion of an acute pancreatitis or an inflammatory episode of chronic pancreatitis or gallstone induced pancreatitis.
Reference Values
Normal pancreatic exocrine function: Less than 3.5 ng/mL
No pediatric reference ranges available for this test.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Performing Laboratory
Inter Science InstituteTest Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Inter Science Institute. Values obtained with different methods, laboratories, or kits cannot be used interchangeably with the results on this report. The results cannot be interpreted as absolute evidence of the presence or absence of malignant disease.CPT Code Information
83519
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| FPCEL | Pancreatic Elastase-1 | Not Provided |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| FPCEL | Pancreatic Elastase-1 | 14048-3 |