Fecal Pancreatic Elastase Level of 800 mcg/g Indicates Normal Pancreatic Function
A fecal pancreatic elastase level of 800 mcg/g is completely normal and indicates healthy pancreatic exocrine function. 1 This value is well above the normal threshold of >200 mcg/g and represents excellent pancreatic enzyme production capacity.
Understanding Fecal Elastase Measurements
Fecal elastase-1 (FE-1) is the most commonly used indirect pancreatic function test due to its simplicity, non-invasiveness, and relative affordability. The interpretation of FE-1 results follows these established thresholds:
- >200 mcg/g: Normal pancreatic function 2, 1
- 100-200 mcg/g: Indeterminate for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) 2, 1
- <100 mcg/g: Good evidence of EPI 2, 1
- <50 mcg/g: Severe EPI 2
Your value of 800 mcg/g falls well within the normal range, indicating healthy pancreatic enzyme production.
Clinical Significance
A high normal value like 800 mcg/g indicates:
- Adequate pancreatic enzyme production
- Normal pancreatic exocrine function
- No evidence of pancreatic insufficiency
This result suggests that your pancreas is producing sufficient digestive enzymes to properly digest food and absorb nutrients.
Important Considerations
Test Variability: There can be considerable variation in fecal elastase concentration within a single stool passage (mean CV = 22%) and from day to day (mean CV = 26%) 3. However, your value of 800 mcg/g is so far above the normal threshold that this variability would not affect the clinical interpretation.
False Positives/Negatives: In patients with low pre-test probability of EPI, the fecal elastase-1 test has a false-negative rate of only 1.1%, making it excellent for ruling out EPI 4. Your high value further confirms the absence of EPI.
Unaffected by Enzyme Supplementation: Unlike some other pancreatic function tests, FE-1 results are not affected by pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy 2, 5, making it a reliable indicator regardless of any supplements you might be taking.
When to Be Concerned About Pancreatic Function
For context, you would only need to be concerned about pancreatic insufficiency if your FE-1 level was:
- Below 200 mcg/g (indeterminate)
- Below 100 mcg/g (consistent with EPI)
- Below 50 mcg/g (severe EPI)
Conclusion
Your fecal pancreatic elastase level of 800 mcg/g indicates normal pancreatic exocrine function with no evidence of pancreatic insufficiency. No further testing or treatment for pancreatic insufficiency is necessary based on this result.