How were you tested for pancreatic insufficiency?

[Beccamom]

<P>Harriet,</P>
<P></P>
<P>Thanks for the info. My daughter had the those tests and we were told they were to determine if she had pacreatitis. She ended up having Influenza B despite having had the flu shot 11 years straight. They were both elevated, but not high enough for pancreatitis.</P>
<P></P>
<P>As for the elastace Quest processed my daughter's test and the lab paperwork says normal >200, moderate pancreatic insufficiency 100-200, and severe pancreatic insufficiency <100. However, both GIs I am working with agree that a mild insufficiency is 200 to 500 and they would agree to in one case the panreatic stimulation test with a elastace betwee 200 and 500 and the other GI would just give enzymes a try between 200 and 500. </P>

 

[Beccamom]

<P><BR>Harriet,</P>
<P></P>
<P>Thanks for the info. My daughter had the those tests and we were told they were to determine if she had pacreatitis. She ended up having Influenza B despite having had the flu shot 11 years straight. They were both elevated, but not high enough for pancreatitis.</P>
<P></P>
<P>As for the elastace Quest processed my daughter's test and the lab paperwork says normal >200, moderate pancreatic insufficiency 100-200, and severe pancreatic insufficiency <100. However, both GIs I am working with agree that a mild insufficiency is 200 to 500 and they would agree to in one case the panreatic stimulation test with a elastace betwee 200 and 500 and the other GI would just give enzymes a try between 200 and 500. </P>

 

[hmw]

Yes- serum lipase is used much more commonly to dx pancreatis than pancreatic insufficiency, since it's not a test specific to cf if numbers are low ('normal' values are quite low to begin with, and 'abnormal' low values can be caused by many things.) However, elevated lipase is very much associated with a couple specific things and easy to check for. The secretin test can be done if other stool testing is not conclusive, and is also done if there are other suspected pancreatic problems.
<br>
<br>If she hasn't had the 72hr fecal fat & elastase test (with accompanying food log) I would definitely want that done first. (A one time collection is not enough if it was not conclusive.) It can yield very valuable info- and aside from the obvious 'yuck' factor and figuring out how to handle it for an older child to minimize embarrassment, it's preferable because it's not invasive, requires no sedation, carries no risk.<br><br>eta> I see where you give the numbers you were given for severe and mild PI, when more testing would be given, when enzymes would be tried. What were your daughter's results the first time, and was it a full 72hr test? <br>

 

[hmw]

Yes- serum lipase is used much more commonly to dx pancreatis than pancreatic insufficiency, since it's not a test specific to cf if numbers are low ('normal' values are quite low to begin with, and 'abnormal' low values can be caused by many things.) However, elevated lipase is very much associated with a couple specific things and easy to check for. The secretin test can be done if other stool testing is not conclusive, and is also done if there are other suspected pancreatic problems.
<br>
<br>If she hasn't had the 72hr fecal fat & elastase test (with accompanying food log) I would definitely want that done first. (A one time collection is not enough if it was not conclusive.) It can yield very valuable info- and aside from the obvious 'yuck' factor and figuring out how to handle it for an older child to minimize embarrassment, it's preferable because it's not invasive, requires no sedation, carries no risk.<br><br>eta> I see where you give the numbers you were given for severe and mild PI, when more testing would be given, when enzymes would be tried. What were your daughter's results the first time, and was it a full 72hr test? <br>

 

[hmw]

Yes- serum lipase is used much more commonly to dx pancreatis than pancreatic insufficiency, since it's not a test specific to cf if numbers are low ('normal' values are quite low to begin with, and 'abnormal' low values can be caused by many things.) However, elevated lipase is very much associated with a couple specific things and easy to check for. The secretin test can be done if other stool testing is not conclusive, and is also done if there are other suspected pancreatic problems.
<br>
<br>If she hasn't had the 72hr fecal fat & elastase test (with accompanying food log) I would definitely want that done first. (A one time collection is not enough if it was not conclusive.) It can yield very valuable info- and aside from the obvious 'yuck' factor and figuring out how to handle it for an older child to minimize embarrassment, it's preferable because it's not invasive, requires no sedation, carries no risk.<br><br>eta> I see where you give the numbers you were given for severe and mild PI, when more testing would be given, when enzymes would be tried. What were your daughter's results the first time, and was it a full 72hr test? <br>

 

[amyr]

Beccamom,

I responded to you through connections4life. Hope all is well and keep your chin up!!!!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[amyr]

Beccamom,

I responded to you through connections4life. Hope all is well and keep your chin up!!!!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[amyr]

Beccamom,
<br />
<br />I responded to you through connections4life. Hope all is well and keep your chin up!!!!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<br />
<br />

 

[Julie7]

I'm in the same boat. Pancreatic stim showed PI (mild to moderate) in March 2012. All elastases since then were always over 500. Second opinion dr said by fecal elastase my son is pancreatic sufficient. Fast forward to two weeks ago and recent elastase were 347 and 400. Why is there such s difference of opinion. One says PI, one says not but Pulmonologist CF dr says nothing under 500 is normal.