Faecal Testing

Question 1

Faecal Testing

Answer 1

Elastase 1: measure of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency

Faecal Fat Estimation: indicates malabsorption and useful in diagnosis of small bowel disease

Faecal Calprotectin: measure of bowel mucosal inflammation, helpful in diagnosis of IBD

Small Bowel Follow Through: useful for demonstrating abnormal anatomy

SeCHAT testing: used for ruling out bile acid diarrhoea

Question 2

Elastase 1

Answer 2

A protease synthesised by pancreatic acinar cells and secreted into the duodenum

• It is not degraded during transit and is concentrated in the faeces
• more specific than Faecal fat estimation and easier to collect

Measurement of Stool Elastase 1:

• allows the diagnosis or exclusion of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency
• a level less than 100 micrograms/g of stool indicates SEVERE PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY
• levels of 100 -200 micrograms/g of stool indicate mild to moderate pancreatic insufficiency

Question 3

Faecal Calprotectin

Answer 3

Faecal calprotectin is used as a measure of bowel mucosal inflammation and can be helpful in diagnosis of IBD