ACE levels is a blood test that measures the amount of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE).
A blood sample is needed. For information on how this is done, see: Venipuncture
You may have to restrict food and fluids for up to 12 hours before the test. People taking steroid therapy should talk to their health care providers, because steroids can decrease ACE levels.
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
The most common use of this test is to help diagnose and monitor a disorder called sarcoidosis . People with sarcoidosis may have their ACE levels tested regularly to check the severity of the disease and see how well treatment is working.
This test also helps confirm Gaucher's disease and leprosy.
Normal values vary based on your age and the test method used. Typically, adults have ACE levels less than 40 micrograms/L.
The examples above are common measurements for results of these tests. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
Increased ACE levels may be a sign of sarcoidosis. ACE levels will rise or fall as sarcoidosis becomes worse or improves.
However, increased ACE levels may also be seen in several other disorders, including:
A decrease in ACE levels may indicate:
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
The risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
Because elevated ACE levels may also be seen in several other disorders, the overall usefulness of the ACE blood test is limited.
Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme; SACE
Pincus MR, Abraham NZ, Carty RP. Clinical enzymology. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 20.
Iannuzzi M. Sarcoidosis. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 95.
Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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