Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Clearance Stool
What is this test?
Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Clearance test is used to detect diseases or conditions associated with damage to the intestines. The concentration of the alpha 1 antitrypsin enzyme is estimated by specialized laboratory techniques using a sample of stool collected from the individual.
What is Alpha 1 Antitrypsin?
Alpha 1 antitrypsin is a protease inhibitor enzyme found in the blood plasma. The enzyme inhibits trypsin, elastin and other proteases in blood plasma from damaging the organs and tissue spaces. This enzyme is useful in detecting intestinal damage as it is resistant to digestive enzymes. Identifying and measuring the amount of alpha 1 antitrypsin from various samples can be used to diagnose protein loss associated with intestinal damage.
Why is this test recommended?
This test is recommended by the doctor to find out any abnormalities associated with intestines and digestive system. the individual with changes in the digestive system can experience symptoms like malabsorption of nutrients, fatigue, flatulence, diarrhoea, gastric pain, heartburn, etc.
This test is also recommended by the doctor during diseases or conditions like Whipple intestinal lipodystrophy ( Whipple’s disease), Gastrointestinal protein enteropathy associated with regional enteritis, stomach cancer, irritable bowel disease, diseases of the intestines like intestinal lymphangiectasia, constrictive pericarditis, congenital hypogammaglobulinemia, and iron deficiency anaemia associated with intolerance to cow's milk, etc.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Clearance Stool. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Clearance Stool.
No specific test preparations are required for this test.
Understanding your test results
The test results may be different depending on gender, age, health conditions, and other factors.
If your test results are higher than the normal reference range it may indicate excessive protein loss from the gastrointestinal tract(digestive system). The test results are useful in identifying diseases or conditions associated with gastrointestinal enteropathies (damage to the inner lining of the intestines).
| Gender | Age groups | Value |
| MALE | All age groups | < 27 ml/24 hrs |
| FEMALE | All age groups | < 27 ml/24 hrs |