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Is Exocrine pancreas insufficiency common in IBS sufferers

Posted , 6 users are following.

anna22144
anna22144

hi all

my consultant has not been able to find a cause for my recently diagnosed EPI, ie all scans etc negative for CP and other pancreatic/duct/gallbladder issues. She has said it is common for there to be no cause found and that around 30% of IBS sufferers have EPI. this is news to me, everything i have read has said EPI always has a cause either relayed to another pancreatic problem, gallstones, or certain genetic conditions- and i cannot find anything anywhere that links this condition with IBS and have done so much reading. does anyone have any knowledge around this or experiences both conditions themselves (with no other cause for EPI found?)

any comments very welcome!

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Shortie79
    Shortie79 anna22144

    Posted

    What type of specialist are you seeing? Is it a regular GI or pancreas specialist?

  • anna22144
    anna22144

    Posted

    its a regular GI. Have had abdominal MRI, abdominal ultrasound and an MRCP so far.

    • anna22144
      anna22144

      Posted

      Have been taking creon for about 3 weeks at a high dosage but its making no difference to the pain i get from eating and still not put any weight on which would have thought i should if EPI is the reason for my weight loss..?

  • ugo16585
    ugo16585 anna22144

    Posted

    Hi Anna this is interesting. I have a similar condition. I have EPI that was diagnosed through the faecal elastase test. This happened last year after a period of intense abdomen discomfort and loose and greasy stools. Doctors could not find the cause for it - all scans turned out negative same as you. I have small gallstones but doctors did not related it to EPI.

    I have also been tested for D vitamin that turned out low level probably due to the EPI. Do you have the same?

    • elvis34720
      elvis34720 ugo16585

      Posted

      Did you find more answers to your problem? I had elastase 111 out of 200 but no further tests done yet.

  • elvis34720
    elvis34720 anna22144

    Posted

    Hi anna22144,

    My elastase results came out 111 out of 200 needed for normal. GP had diagnosed me with IBS previously. Is there any update to your initial diagnosis?

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