PEI symptoms can often be confused with those caused by other digestive problems – which can make PEI difficult to spot.1
It’s important to talk to your doctor about all your symptoms, any other health issues and treatment you have had or are undergoing. This information can help your doctor work out what may be causing the problem and the best way to manage your symptoms.
They may refer you to a specialist such as a gastroenterologist who can carry out tests to confirm if your symptoms are caused by PEI.
Diagnosing PEI is not easy. It is important that you have a list of your symptoms, and any triggers that you have noticed with you when you visit your doctor. They will use this information along with your medical history and test results to help confirm you have PEI.
There are several tests available that help to diagnose PEI. The tests most commonly used are stool tests:
- The presence of an enzyme called elastase (one of the digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas). This is called the faecal elastase test and people with PEI often have lower levels of elastase in their stool than people without PEI.
- How much fat is in your stool. This is called the faecal fat test and indicates how well you’re absorbing fat from your food.
If you have been diagnosed with PEI it is important to know that, whilst it is usually a long term condition, it can be effectively managed.1
Managing PEI may not be the same for everyone, and usually it takes a combination of different treatments. A list of some of the common ways include:
- Treating the underlying cause of PEI – which will vary from person-to-person.
- Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) – which provides the body with the missing enzymes that break down fats, carbohydrates and proteins.
- Following a healthy diet – which involves avoiding alcohol and eating sufficient fat, protein and carbohydrate foods to maintain a healthy nutritional balance.
- Taking vitamins and mineral supplements when required.
Your doctor may prescribe you PERT.
This treatment involves taking a medication that combines a mixture of three different enzymes to break down the fats, carbohydrates and proteins contained in your food.
PERT aims to replace the natural levels of pancreatic enzymes your body would normally produce and needs to be taken with every meal and snack.
Your doctor will help you determine the PERT dose that is right for you.
PEI and nutrition1
It’s important to work with your doctor and a dietitian to make sure all your nutritional needs are being met.
A dietitian will make an initial assessment of your nutritional status, including any macronutrient (fats, carbohydrate and protein) or micronutrient (vitamin and minerals) deficiencies in your diet.
They will specifically tailor their advice to any nutritional problems you have, help you establish meal plans and monitor your progress.
PEI affects your body's ability to absorb nutrients which means you may not be getting all the vitamins and minerals you need.
Because your ability to absorb fat is affected, getting sufficient amounts of the important fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, and K) can be a particular problem when you have PEI. Low levels of minerals such as magnesium, iron, calcium and zinc can also be a problem.1
If left untreated PEI can lead to nutrition-related complications such as:1,2
- Weak bones – low bone mineral density (osteoporosis) is linked to vitamin D deficiencies.
- Malnutrition.
