Conditions

What is Pancreatic Enzyme Insufficiency?

Pancreatic Enzyme Insufficiency (PEI) occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough digestive enzymes to properly break down food, particularly fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.

This can lead to symptoms such as pale or oily stools, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloating, excessive wind, unintentional weight loss, and signs of nutrient deficiencies such as fatigue or low vitamin levels.

Because these symptoms overlap with other digestive conditions, PEI can sometimes go unrecognised or be mistaken for IBS or other gut disorders. Identifying the cause is an important first step in effective treatment.

Diagnosis is usually made using a faecal elastase test, a simple stool test that measures pancreatic enzyme output. We can arrange this test as part of your assessment, helping to determine whether PEI may be contributing to your symptoms and guiding the most appropriate treatment plan.

The main treatment for PEI is pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), taken with meals to help your body digest food more effectively. Alongside this, a specialist gastroenterology dietitian plays a key role in optimising your nutrition, adjusting fat intake where needed, preventing or correcting deficiencies in vitamins such as A, D, E, and K, and ensuring your diet remains balanced and enjoyable.

With expert dietary support, many people experience significant improvements in symptoms, energy levels, and weight stability. We also work to tailor advice to your lifestyle, helping you feel more confident with food again and reducing the uncertainty that often comes with digestive symptoms.

If you are experiencing ongoing digestive issues, unexplained weight loss, or symptoms that have not improved with previous treatment, booking a specialist assessment could help identify whether pancreatic enzyme insufficiency is the underlying cause.

Our team can arrange testing, interpret your results, and provide personalised nutrition guidance to support your recovery and long-term health.


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If you have a question about your symptoms or would like to find out more before booking, just send a message and Jeanette will get back to you as soon as possible.