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:

  nuth.dutybiochemist@nhs.net