Turnaround times
The quoted turnaround time is from sample receipt in the laboratory, to results authorisation in the Laboratory Information Management system. The times do not include transport of specimen to the laboratory or the administrative process to print and post/email reports. Service users must allow for transport and reporting time when ordering tests.
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 regular intervals to monitor the course of the disease and the effectiveness of corticosteroid treatment.
Specimen container paediatric:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Specimen container adult:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Minimum volume paediatric:
1 mL blood
Minimum volume adult:
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
Availability:
24/7, analysed at RVI
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 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.
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’s studies.
Age 18 years and over: 20 – 70 U/L
Factors affecting result:
Levels reduced by:
EDTA
ACE inhibitory drugs used in treatment of hypertension