The pancreatic elastase test, often referred to as "fecal elastase," is a helpful tool for identifying exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in people who have gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, unexplained weight loss, malnutrition, malabsorption, delayed growth (in children) and fatty, foul-smelling stools and pancreatic insufficiency is suspected
Container/Tube: Stool container
Specimen Volume: 5 g

Collection Instructions:

1.Collect a fresh random fecal specimen, no preservatives or contaminated with urine.
2.If specimen is sent refrigerate, send immediately after collection.
3.If specimen cannot be sent immediately, freeze and send frozen (preferred).

Test Preparation Needed?
If you are taking pancreatic enzymes, you may be asked to discontinue them for 5 days prior to stool collection.