Newcastle Laboratories

Angiotensin converting enzyme, serum

Clinical Background:

Used to help diagnose and monitor sarcoidosis. ACE will be elevated in 50-80% of patients with active sarcoidosis. If it is initially elevated in someone with sarcoidosis, ACE can be requested at r...

Used to help diagnose and monitor sarcoidosis. ACE will be elevated in 50-80% of patients with active sarcoidosis. If it is initially elevated in someone with sarcoidosis, ACE can be requested at regular intervals to monitor the course of the disease and the effectiveness of corticosteroid treatment.

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Test Details

  • Discipline:

    Biochemistry

    Biochemistry

  • Specimen Container Adult:

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

  • Specimen Container Paediatric:

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

  • Minimum Volume Adult:

    1 mL blood

    1 mL blood

  • Minimum Volume Paediatric:

    1 mL blood

    1 mL blood

  • Sample Stability:

    Unseparated: Unknown

    Separated
    at +15 - 25°C 10 days
    at +2 - 8°C 10 days
    at -20°C 1 year

    Unseparated: Unknown

    Separated
    at +15 - 25°C 10 days
    at +2 - 8°C 10 days
    at -20°C 1 year

  • Interpretation:

    Elevated levels of ACE activity occur in the serum of patients with sarcoidosis and occasionally in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome, adults with tuberculosis, Gaucher's disease...

    Elevated levels of ACE activity occur in the serum of patients with sarcoidosis and occasionally in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome, adults with tuberculosis, Gaucher's disease and many other pathological conditions involving lung and liver diseases. However an ACE result within the reference range does not rule out the possibility of sarcoidosis. ACE concentrations are also less likely to be elevated in those with long term sarcoidosis.

     

    The serum ACE activity strongly depends on the genotype of the patients investigated. Therefore, reference values depend on the genetic pattern of the donors and the differences can be explained by the frequency of the three genotypes within the group of the donors.

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  • Reference Ranges:

    - Age 6 months to 18 years: 29 – 112 U/L

    No reference intervals are available for children under the age of six months but very low ACE activity would be expected based on the reagent manufacturer'...

    - Age 6 months to 18 years: 29 – 112 U/L

    No reference intervals are available for children under the age of six months but very low ACE activity would be expected based on the reagent manufacturer's studies.

    - Age 18 years and over: 20 – 70 U/L

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  • Factors Affecting Result:

    Levels reduced by:
    EDTA
    ACE inhibitory drugs used in treatment of hypertension

    Levels reduced by:
    EDTA
    ACE inhibitory drugs used in treatment of hypertension

  • Routine Contact Name:

    Duty Biochemist

  • Routine Telephone:

    Freeman: 0191 244 8889

    RVI: 0191 282 9719

    Freeman: 0191 244 8889

    RVI: 0191 282 9719

  • Routine Email:

Availability:

24/7, analysed at RVI

Turn Around:

Within 2 full access days

Send To:

Department of Blood Sciences

Level 3
Leazes Wing
Royal Victoria Infirmary
Queen Victoria Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4LP

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