Pancreatic Elastase-1

Patients with pancreatic elastase between 200 and 500 may be considered normal by conventional testing while still functionally insufficient. An elastase-1 result of at least 500 µg/g indicates normal pancreatic output. Elastase-1 is a stool marker that indirectly reflects pancreatic enzyme production and exocrine pancreatic function. Oral pancreatic enzymes compensate for low enzyme output but do not increase endogenous pancreatic enzyme production. Low elastase-1 may be associated with bloating, abdominal discomfort, steatorrhea, or fat malabsorption. Pancreatic elastase-1 is identified as the key marker for digestive dysfunction dysbiosis.