Test ID: ELAS
Pancreatic elastase is a critical enzyme secreted by the pancreas for digestion of food. It belongs to the family of proteolytic enzymes, specializing in breaking down proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids which can then be absorbed by the intestines and utilized.
Pancreatic elastase is particularly adept at cleaving proteins at specific amino acid sequences, this specificity ensures that the enzyme targets proteins efficiently without indiscriminately breaking down other molecules. As pancreatic elastase works together with other digestive enzymes, it contributes significantly to the breakdown of complex proteins which can then be absorbed by the intestinal mucosa.
Pancreatic elastase is a valuable biomarker for assessing pancreatic exocrine function. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) refers to a condition where the pancreas fails to produce sufficient amounts of digestive enzymes, including pancreatic elastase, which can lead to various digestive symptoms, such as malabsorption, diarrhoea, and weight loss.
Measuring pancreatic elastase levels in stool samples provides a non-invasive and reliable assessment of pancreatic exocrine function.
Turnaround time: 5 days
Sample Collection Instructions: Stool sample collection – click here
Sample Requirements: Faecal blue capped tube
Sample Stability: Postal acceptable