Chymotrypsin in Stool
This test measures the amount of chymotrypsin in a stool (poop) sample.
This test measures the amount of chymotrypsin in a stool (poop) sample. Chymotrypsin is an enzyme, a protein that speeds up certain chemical reactions in your body. It is released by your pancreas (an organ behind your stomach) to help break down the protein in your food during digestion. If your pancreas is working as it should, there will be some chymotrypsin in your stool sample. However, if your pancreas is releasing lower-than-normal amounts of chymotrypsin, you may not have enough enzymes to digest your food properly. This is a condition known as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency . It's often called pancreatic insufficiency or EPI for short. Pancreatic insufficiency is most often caused by chronic pancreatitis , inflammation of the pancreas. It may also be caused by cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic disorder that causes mucus to build up in your lungs and other organs, including the pancreas. People with CF often have trouble absorbing nutrients from food. Your stool sample may also be tested for trypsin. This is another enzyme that is released by the pancreas and helps with digestion. Other names: fecal chymotrypsin, trypsin and chymotrypsin stool test
Why is this test ordered? You may need this test if you have symptoms of a pancreatic insufficiency. These include: Chronic diarrhea Abdominal (belly) pain Bloating and gas Loose, foul-smelling, greasy stools Weight loss
Clinical Interpretation
Your results will show the amount of chymotrypsin in your stool. Your results may also include the amount of trypsin found. A positive result means that your stool sample shows a normal amount of chymotrypsin and, if it was tested for, trypsin. A negative result means that the amount of chymotrypsin and/or trypsin in your stool sample is below normal. It may mean that you have pancreatic insufficiency. If you have a negative result, this doesn’t diagnose any specific disorders by itself. Your provider will need to order more tests. These may include the following, which measure different pancreatic enzymes: Stool elastase Lipase blood test Amylase blood test If you have questions about your results, talk to your provider. Learn more about laboratory tests, references ranges, and understanding results .
Clinical Protocol & Patient Advice
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You may need to stop taking certain medicines before this test, such as if you are taking pancreatic enzymes, so tell your provider about everything you take. But don't stop taking any medicines unless your provider tells you to.
Usage Guidance
- Reference ranges vary by laboratory. Always discuss your specific results with a qualified healthcare professional.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. View the original.