Hi there! In one of your posts, I saw you both mention that you had heard that a elastase test from 200-500 is pancreatic sufficient, but most NON-CF kids should have numbers near or above 500. My daughter's test came back "less than 500". I asked "How much less?" and the doctor said the lab didn't specify! I'd like to know because if it was 201, we're looking at borderline PI, and if it's 499, we're leaning more toward maybe not having CF? Where can I research the idea that NON-CF kids should have elastase numbers around or above 500? Thanks so, so much!
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Hi mommafirst or ymikhale!...question about elastase...THANKS!
- Thread starter jmom
- Start date
Hi there! In one of your posts, I saw you both mention that you had heard that a elastase test from 200-500 is pancreatic sufficient, but most NON-CF kids should have numbers near or above 500. My daughter's test came back "less than 500". I asked "How much less?" and the doctor said the lab didn't specify! I'd like to know because if it was 201, we're looking at borderline PI, and if it's 499, we're leaning more toward maybe not having CF? Where can I research the idea that NON-CF kids should have elastase numbers around or above 500? Thanks so, so much!
Hi there! In one of your posts, I saw you both mention that you had heard that a elastase test from 200-500 is pancreatic sufficient, but most NON-CF kids should have numbers near or above 500. My daughter's test came back "less than 500". I asked "How much less?" and the doctor said the lab didn't specify! I'd like to know because if it was 201, we're looking at borderline PI, and if it's 499, we're leaning more toward maybe not having CF? Where can I research the idea that NON-CF kids should have elastase numbers around or above 500? Thanks so, so much!
E
edan
Guest
Hi Jmom,
I am sorry you are having to go through this. But once you get the right answers you will be able to proactively help your child. I am certainly glad we found out.
We just found out my daughter has CF about 3 months ago. She is 3.5. Her mutations are df508 and 3849+10kbc->t. The 3849 is a variable mutation causing both PS and PI in patients. Her elastase level was >500. She is fully pancreatic sufficient. According to doc, anything over 250 is considered PS, but should be watched, and anything over 500 will probably stay PS. It is estimated (if I can remember correctly) that 5-10% of those with CF are PS.
Also, her sweat test was 58. But, she definitely has CF.
Hope this helps.
Edan
I am sorry you are having to go through this. But once you get the right answers you will be able to proactively help your child. I am certainly glad we found out.
We just found out my daughter has CF about 3 months ago. She is 3.5. Her mutations are df508 and 3849+10kbc->t. The 3849 is a variable mutation causing both PS and PI in patients. Her elastase level was >500. She is fully pancreatic sufficient. According to doc, anything over 250 is considered PS, but should be watched, and anything over 500 will probably stay PS. It is estimated (if I can remember correctly) that 5-10% of those with CF are PS.
Also, her sweat test was 58. But, she definitely has CF.
Hope this helps.
Edan
E
edan
Guest
Hi Jmom,
I am sorry you are having to go through this. But once you get the right answers you will be able to proactively help your child. I am certainly glad we found out.
We just found out my daughter has CF about 3 months ago. She is 3.5. Her mutations are df508 and 3849+10kbc->t. The 3849 is a variable mutation causing both PS and PI in patients. Her elastase level was >500. She is fully pancreatic sufficient. According to doc, anything over 250 is considered PS, but should be watched, and anything over 500 will probably stay PS. It is estimated (if I can remember correctly) that 5-10% of those with CF are PS.
Also, her sweat test was 58. But, she definitely has CF.
Hope this helps.
Edan
I am sorry you are having to go through this. But once you get the right answers you will be able to proactively help your child. I am certainly glad we found out.
We just found out my daughter has CF about 3 months ago. She is 3.5. Her mutations are df508 and 3849+10kbc->t. The 3849 is a variable mutation causing both PS and PI in patients. Her elastase level was >500. She is fully pancreatic sufficient. According to doc, anything over 250 is considered PS, but should be watched, and anything over 500 will probably stay PS. It is estimated (if I can remember correctly) that 5-10% of those with CF are PS.
Also, her sweat test was 58. But, she definitely has CF.
Hope this helps.
Edan
E
edan
Guest
Hi Jmom,
<br />
<br />I am sorry you are having to go through this. But once you get the right answers you will be able to proactively help your child. I am certainly glad we found out.
<br />
<br />We just found out my daughter has CF about 3 months ago. She is 3.5. Her mutations are df508 and 3849+10kbc->t. The 3849 is a variable mutation causing both PS and PI in patients. Her elastase level was >500. She is fully pancreatic sufficient. According to doc, anything over 250 is considered PS, but should be watched, and anything over 500 will probably stay PS. It is estimated (if I can remember correctly) that 5-10% of those with CF are PS.
<br />
<br />Also, her sweat test was 58. But, she definitely has CF.
<br />
<br />Hope this helps.
<br />
<br />Edan
<br />
<br />I am sorry you are having to go through this. But once you get the right answers you will be able to proactively help your child. I am certainly glad we found out.
<br />
<br />We just found out my daughter has CF about 3 months ago. She is 3.5. Her mutations are df508 and 3849+10kbc->t. The 3849 is a variable mutation causing both PS and PI in patients. Her elastase level was >500. She is fully pancreatic sufficient. According to doc, anything over 250 is considered PS, but should be watched, and anything over 500 will probably stay PS. It is estimated (if I can remember correctly) that 5-10% of those with CF are PS.
<br />
<br />Also, her sweat test was 58. But, she definitely has CF.
<br />
<br />Hope this helps.
<br />
<br />Edan
Hi,
I cannot remember where I read it but it said that CF patient's pancreas is affected even when he is PS, that is why their elastase would be lower than 500.
Having said that, I think there is a member here whose number is above 500 and she still has CF, so I would not base the CF diagnosis on this number.
When I researched normal values I googled something like "normal elastase CF".
I cannot remember where I read it but it said that CF patient's pancreas is affected even when he is PS, that is why their elastase would be lower than 500.
Having said that, I think there is a member here whose number is above 500 and she still has CF, so I would not base the CF diagnosis on this number.
When I researched normal values I googled something like "normal elastase CF".
Hi,
I cannot remember where I read it but it said that CF patient's pancreas is affected even when he is PS, that is why their elastase would be lower than 500.
Having said that, I think there is a member here whose number is above 500 and she still has CF, so I would not base the CF diagnosis on this number.
When I researched normal values I googled something like "normal elastase CF".
I cannot remember where I read it but it said that CF patient's pancreas is affected even when he is PS, that is why their elastase would be lower than 500.
Having said that, I think there is a member here whose number is above 500 and she still has CF, so I would not base the CF diagnosis on this number.
When I researched normal values I googled something like "normal elastase CF".
Hi,
<br />I cannot remember where I read it but it said that CF patient's pancreas is affected even when he is PS, that is why their elastase would be lower than 500.
<br />
<br />Having said that, I think there is a member here whose number is above 500 and she still has CF, so I would not base the CF diagnosis on this number.
<br />
<br />When I researched normal values I googled something like "normal elastase CF".
<br />I cannot remember where I read it but it said that CF patient's pancreas is affected even when he is PS, that is why their elastase would be lower than 500.
<br />
<br />Having said that, I think there is a member here whose number is above 500 and she still has CF, so I would not base the CF diagnosis on this number.
<br />
<br />When I researched normal values I googled something like "normal elastase CF".
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>edan</b></i>
Hi Jmom,
I am sorry you are having to go through this. But once you get the right answers you will be able to proactively help your child. I am certainly glad we found out.
We just found out my daughter has CF about 3 months ago. She is 3.5. Her mutations are df508 and 3849+10kbc->t. The 3849 is a variable mutation causing both PS and PI in patients. Her elastase level was >500. She is fully pancreatic sufficient. According to doc, anything over 250 is considered PS, but should be watched, and anything over 500 will probably stay PS. It is estimated (if I can remember correctly) that 5-10% of those with CF are PS.
Also, her sweat test was 58. But, she definitely has CF.
Hope this helps.
Edan</end quote></div>
where 3849 mutation is concerned, the statistics are that 70% of patients are PS. Just thought you would like to know.
Hi Jmom,
I am sorry you are having to go through this. But once you get the right answers you will be able to proactively help your child. I am certainly glad we found out.
We just found out my daughter has CF about 3 months ago. She is 3.5. Her mutations are df508 and 3849+10kbc->t. The 3849 is a variable mutation causing both PS and PI in patients. Her elastase level was >500. She is fully pancreatic sufficient. According to doc, anything over 250 is considered PS, but should be watched, and anything over 500 will probably stay PS. It is estimated (if I can remember correctly) that 5-10% of those with CF are PS.
Also, her sweat test was 58. But, she definitely has CF.
Hope this helps.
Edan</end quote></div>
where 3849 mutation is concerned, the statistics are that 70% of patients are PS. Just thought you would like to know.
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>edan</b></i>
Hi Jmom,
I am sorry you are having to go through this. But once you get the right answers you will be able to proactively help your child. I am certainly glad we found out.
We just found out my daughter has CF about 3 months ago. She is 3.5. Her mutations are df508 and 3849+10kbc->t. The 3849 is a variable mutation causing both PS and PI in patients. Her elastase level was >500. She is fully pancreatic sufficient. According to doc, anything over 250 is considered PS, but should be watched, and anything over 500 will probably stay PS. It is estimated (if I can remember correctly) that 5-10% of those with CF are PS.
Also, her sweat test was 58. But, she definitely has CF.
Hope this helps.
Edan</end quote>
where 3849 mutation is concerned, the statistics are that 70% of patients are PS. Just thought you would like to know.
Hi Jmom,
I am sorry you are having to go through this. But once you get the right answers you will be able to proactively help your child. I am certainly glad we found out.
We just found out my daughter has CF about 3 months ago. She is 3.5. Her mutations are df508 and 3849+10kbc->t. The 3849 is a variable mutation causing both PS and PI in patients. Her elastase level was >500. She is fully pancreatic sufficient. According to doc, anything over 250 is considered PS, but should be watched, and anything over 500 will probably stay PS. It is estimated (if I can remember correctly) that 5-10% of those with CF are PS.
Also, her sweat test was 58. But, she definitely has CF.
Hope this helps.
Edan</end quote>
where 3849 mutation is concerned, the statistics are that 70% of patients are PS. Just thought you would like to know.
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>edan</b></i>
<br />
<br />Hi Jmom,
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />I am sorry you are having to go through this. But once you get the right answers you will be able to proactively help your child. I am certainly glad we found out.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />We just found out my daughter has CF about 3 months ago. She is 3.5. Her mutations are df508 and 3849+10kbc->t. The 3849 is a variable mutation causing both PS and PI in patients. Her elastase level was >500. She is fully pancreatic sufficient. According to doc, anything over 250 is considered PS, but should be watched, and anything over 500 will probably stay PS. It is estimated (if I can remember correctly) that 5-10% of those with CF are PS.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Also, her sweat test was 58. But, she definitely has CF.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Hope this helps.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Edan</end quote>
<br />
<br />where 3849 mutation is concerned, the statistics are that 70% of patients are PS. Just thought you would like to know.
<br />
<br />Hi Jmom,
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />I am sorry you are having to go through this. But once you get the right answers you will be able to proactively help your child. I am certainly glad we found out.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />We just found out my daughter has CF about 3 months ago. She is 3.5. Her mutations are df508 and 3849+10kbc->t. The 3849 is a variable mutation causing both PS and PI in patients. Her elastase level was >500. She is fully pancreatic sufficient. According to doc, anything over 250 is considered PS, but should be watched, and anything over 500 will probably stay PS. It is estimated (if I can remember correctly) that 5-10% of those with CF are PS.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Also, her sweat test was 58. But, she definitely has CF.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Hope this helps.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Edan</end quote>
<br />
<br />where 3849 mutation is concerned, the statistics are that 70% of patients are PS. Just thought you would like to know.
I know I'm not one of the members you asked for but I figured I'd help if I could with a few links to read. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I am so surprised that the lab didn't specify the exact value... you are right, that is a big range. Where a child falls in that range may not be a determining factor in whether or not they have cf (so many factors go into that) but certainly makes a difference in determining whether or not they are pancreatic-insufficient. And of course clinical presentation makes a big difference as well- what do symptoms suggest?
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.springerlink.com/content/e1uvh6mqppdcpctg/">Link referring to elastase levels in children with cf vs. without cf</a>
A pretty exhaustive article about PI resulting from many causes, including CF, included one study comparing pancreatic enzyme levels between patients w/ cf that were PS vs. those that were PI. The ones that were PS averaged a # of 649; the PI patients average a # of 50 (Again, all in that study had cf- so clearly, a 'normal' result doesn't rule out cf.) <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.fecalelastase.com/img/gastro-Dominici_ClinChemLabMed_2002.pdf">Fecal Elastase-1 Test; a Review</a>
An interesting article to read if someone has had normal or 'borderline' tests; there is more than one way (I cannot pretend to understand exactly how it's done) to do this test and the sensitivity of the test can be affected indirectly by enzymes, even though the test is only supposed to pick up human elastase. <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.clinchem.org/cgi/content/full/51/6/1052">Monoclonal versus Polyclonal ELISA for Assessment of Fecal Elastase Concentration</a>
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.springerlink.com/content/e1uvh6mqppdcpctg/">Link referring to elastase levels in children with cf vs. without cf</a>
A pretty exhaustive article about PI resulting from many causes, including CF, included one study comparing pancreatic enzyme levels between patients w/ cf that were PS vs. those that were PI. The ones that were PS averaged a # of 649; the PI patients average a # of 50 (Again, all in that study had cf- so clearly, a 'normal' result doesn't rule out cf.) <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.fecalelastase.com/img/gastro-Dominici_ClinChemLabMed_2002.pdf">Fecal Elastase-1 Test; a Review</a>
An interesting article to read if someone has had normal or 'borderline' tests; there is more than one way (I cannot pretend to understand exactly how it's done) to do this test and the sensitivity of the test can be affected indirectly by enzymes, even though the test is only supposed to pick up human elastase. <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.clinchem.org/cgi/content/full/51/6/1052">Monoclonal versus Polyclonal ELISA for Assessment of Fecal Elastase Concentration</a>
I know I'm not one of the members you asked for but I figured I'd help if I could with a few links to read. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I am so surprised that the lab didn't specify the exact value... you are right, that is a big range. Where a child falls in that range may not be a determining factor in whether or not they have cf (so many factors go into that) but certainly makes a difference in determining whether or not they are pancreatic-insufficient. And of course clinical presentation makes a big difference as well- what do symptoms suggest?
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.springerlink.com/content/e1uvh6mqppdcpctg/">Link referring to elastase levels in children with cf vs. without cf</a>
A pretty exhaustive article about PI resulting from many causes, including CF, included one study comparing pancreatic enzyme levels between patients w/ cf that were PS vs. those that were PI. The ones that were PS averaged a # of 649; the PI patients average a # of 50 (Again, all in that study had cf- so clearly, a 'normal' result doesn't rule out cf.) <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.fecalelastase.com/img/gastro-Dominici_ClinChemLabMed_2002.pdf">Fecal Elastase-1 Test; a Review</a>
An interesting article to read if someone has had normal or 'borderline' tests; there is more than one way (I cannot pretend to understand exactly how it's done) to do this test and the sensitivity of the test can be affected indirectly by enzymes, even though the test is only supposed to pick up human elastase. <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.clinchem.org/cgi/content/full/51/6/1052">Monoclonal versus Polyclonal ELISA for Assessment of Fecal Elastase Concentration</a>
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.springerlink.com/content/e1uvh6mqppdcpctg/">Link referring to elastase levels in children with cf vs. without cf</a>
A pretty exhaustive article about PI resulting from many causes, including CF, included one study comparing pancreatic enzyme levels between patients w/ cf that were PS vs. those that were PI. The ones that were PS averaged a # of 649; the PI patients average a # of 50 (Again, all in that study had cf- so clearly, a 'normal' result doesn't rule out cf.) <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.fecalelastase.com/img/gastro-Dominici_ClinChemLabMed_2002.pdf">Fecal Elastase-1 Test; a Review</a>
An interesting article to read if someone has had normal or 'borderline' tests; there is more than one way (I cannot pretend to understand exactly how it's done) to do this test and the sensitivity of the test can be affected indirectly by enzymes, even though the test is only supposed to pick up human elastase. <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.clinchem.org/cgi/content/full/51/6/1052">Monoclonal versus Polyclonal ELISA for Assessment of Fecal Elastase Concentration</a>
I know I'm not one of the members you asked for but I figured I'd help if I could with a few links to read. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I am so surprised that the lab didn't specify the exact value... you are right, that is a big range. Where a child falls in that range may not be a determining factor in whether or not they have cf (so many factors go into that) but certainly makes a difference in determining whether or not they are pancreatic-insufficient. And of course clinical presentation makes a big difference as well- what do symptoms suggest?
<br />
<br /><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.springerlink.com/content/e1uvh6mqppdcpctg/">Link referring to elastase levels in children with cf vs. without cf</a>
<br />
<br />A pretty exhaustive article about PI resulting from many causes, including CF, included one study comparing pancreatic enzyme levels between patients w/ cf that were PS vs. those that were PI. The ones that were PS averaged a # of 649; the PI patients average a # of 50 (Again, all in that study had cf- so clearly, a 'normal' result doesn't rule out cf.) <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.fecalelastase.com/img/gastro-Dominici_ClinChemLabMed_2002.pdf">Fecal Elastase-1 Test; a Review</a>
<br />
<br />An interesting article to read if someone has had normal or 'borderline' tests; there is more than one way (I cannot pretend to understand exactly how it's done) to do this test and the sensitivity of the test can be affected indirectly by enzymes, even though the test is only supposed to pick up human elastase. <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.clinchem.org/cgi/content/full/51/6/1052">Monoclonal versus Polyclonal ELISA for Assessment of Fecal Elastase Concentration</a>
<br />
<br /><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.springerlink.com/content/e1uvh6mqppdcpctg/">Link referring to elastase levels in children with cf vs. without cf</a>
<br />
<br />A pretty exhaustive article about PI resulting from many causes, including CF, included one study comparing pancreatic enzyme levels between patients w/ cf that were PS vs. those that were PI. The ones that were PS averaged a # of 649; the PI patients average a # of 50 (Again, all in that study had cf- so clearly, a 'normal' result doesn't rule out cf.) <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.fecalelastase.com/img/gastro-Dominici_ClinChemLabMed_2002.pdf">Fecal Elastase-1 Test; a Review</a>
<br />
<br />An interesting article to read if someone has had normal or 'borderline' tests; there is more than one way (I cannot pretend to understand exactly how it's done) to do this test and the sensitivity of the test can be affected indirectly by enzymes, even though the test is only supposed to pick up human elastase. <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.clinchem.org/cgi/content/full/51/6/1052">Monoclonal versus Polyclonal ELISA for Assessment of Fecal Elastase Concentration</a>
M
Mommafirst
Guest
I'll be honest, I'm not an expert in this area. I just know that my daughter's number was right under 250. She is "technically" pancreatic sufficient and was denied access to a nutrition study because her numbers were too high. They said they would accept her if she fell below 200, but prefer to have their subjects under 100.
Sorry, that's all I have. I did hear that over 500 was considered normal -- but I don't know what is meant by normal. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Sorry, that's all I have. I did hear that over 500 was considered normal -- but I don't know what is meant by normal. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
M
Mommafirst
Guest
I'll be honest, I'm not an expert in this area. I just know that my daughter's number was right under 250. She is "technically" pancreatic sufficient and was denied access to a nutrition study because her numbers were too high. They said they would accept her if she fell below 200, but prefer to have their subjects under 100.
Sorry, that's all I have. I did hear that over 500 was considered normal -- but I don't know what is meant by normal. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Sorry, that's all I have. I did hear that over 500 was considered normal -- but I don't know what is meant by normal. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
M
Mommafirst
Guest
I'll be honest, I'm not an expert in this area. I just know that my daughter's number was right under 250. She is "technically" pancreatic sufficient and was denied access to a nutrition study because her numbers were too high. They said they would accept her if she fell below 200, but prefer to have their subjects under 100.
<br />
<br />Sorry, that's all I have. I did hear that over 500 was considered normal -- but I don't know what is meant by normal. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<br />
<br />Sorry, that's all I have. I did hear that over 500 was considered normal -- but I don't know what is meant by normal. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Sophiesmum
New member
Hi
I'd just like to add that my daughter Sophie is PS and her levels are above 500 and she definately has CF.
We check her levels annually just to make sure.
x
I'd just like to add that my daughter Sophie is PS and her levels are above 500 and she definately has CF.
We check her levels annually just to make sure.
x
Sophiesmum
New member
Hi
I'd just like to add that my daughter Sophie is PS and her levels are above 500 and she definately has CF.
We check her levels annually just to make sure.
x
I'd just like to add that my daughter Sophie is PS and her levels are above 500 and she definately has CF.
We check her levels annually just to make sure.
x