Faecal elastase test
The faecal elastase test measures elastase-1, an enzyme made by the pancreas, in a stool sample. A low level can suggest the pancreas is not producing enough digestive enzymes, known as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. The test costs £120 at The Vesey, Sutton Coldfield, with no referral needed.
About faecal elastase
Elastase passes through the gut largely unchanged, so the amount in stool reflects how much the pancreas is producing. Doctors may request it for loose, pale, greasy or foul-smelling stools that are hard to flush, or unexplained weight loss.
Use a formed stool sample if you can. Very watery stool can dilute the sample and give a falsely low result.
This test measures your own elastase, so supplements taken by mouth do not affect it. Do not stop any prescribed medicine without advice.
A low result needs a doctor’s assessment to find the cause. You can book a GP appointment, and we can refer you to a gastroenterologist.
How it works
- 1Book online
Choose your test and pay when you book. Appointments run Tuesday to Friday at The Vesey, Sutton Coldfield.
- 2Collect your kit
A short visit to collect your sample kit, with step-by-step instructions and a chance to ask questions.
- 3Take the sample at home
Collect a small stool sample at home using the kit and return it to us as instructed.
- 4Results and next steps
Your sample is analysed by an accredited laboratory. A GP reviews any result outside the normal range, and you can book a follow-up appointment to discuss it.
Book the Faecal Elastase
- Stool kit and instructions from our team
- Measures pancreatic elastase-1
- Any low result reviewed by a GP
- Referral to a gastroenterologist if needed
- No GP referral needed
Comparing tests? See all four gut health tests. Questions before you book? WhatsApp us or call 0121 387 3705.
Why test with The Vesey
Alongside the microbiome test we offer the stool tests GPs use: FIT for hidden blood, faecal elastase for pancreatic function and the H. pylori stool antigen test.
You collect your kit and instructions from our team at The Vesey in Sutton Coldfield and can ask questions face to face, rather than ordering a kit online and working it out alone.
A GP reviews any result outside the normal range. You can book a follow-up GP or dietetics appointment here, and we can refer you to a gastroenterologist if needed.
A gut test is never a reason to wait. If you have bleeding, weight loss, a lasting change in bowel habit or difficulty swallowing, we tell you to see a doctor promptly.
Faecal Elastase FAQs
What does a faecal elastase test measure?
The level of elastase-1, an enzyme made by the pancreas, in a stool sample. A low level can suggest exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
Can diarrhoea affect the result?
Yes. Very watery stool can dilute the sample and give a falsely low result, so a formed sample is best where possible.
How much is the faecal elastase test?
£120, paid when you book online. The price includes the kit and laboratory analysis.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book and pay online without a referral.
How do I collect the sample?
At your appointment our team gives you the kit and walks you through the instructions. You collect a small stool sample at home using the kit and return it to The Vesey as instructed, and we send it to the laboratory.
Who reviews the results?
A GP reviews any result outside the normal range. You can book a follow-up GP appointment to discuss your results, and we can refer you to a gastroenterologist if needed.