Specimen Collection

4 mL Plain Blood (Preferred)

4 mL Heparin Blood

3.5 mL SST Blood

0.5 mL Paediatric Microsample Blood

4.5 mL Adult PST Plasma

0.5 mL Paediatric PST Plasma
Reference Intervals

Units: U/L

Serum

6 months to 19 years: 33 - 112 U/L 20 years and older: 20 - 70 U/L

For infants under 6 months, no reference interval has been determined.

Uncertainty of measurement: 12%

Turnaround Time: Within 1 week

Performed Weekly.

Assay Method

Principle: Kinetic rate reaction

Reagent: Buhlmann Laboratories

Analyser: Indiko Plus

Diagnostic Use and Interpretation

ACE is increased markedly in Gaucher's disease, and may also be increased in association with pulmonary conditions such as asbestosis, silicosis, and atypical bacterial infections, as well as non-pulmonary conditions such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism and alcoholic liver disease.

ACEI (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors) significantly suppress plasma ACE level, although the level cannot be used to judge clinical efficacy. If an accurate assessment of ACE activity is required, these should be withheld for at least 2 weeks before the blood is taken. Although literature evidence is limited, ARB treatment appears to have little effect on ACE levels and can usually be continued.

CSF ACE : Although CSF ACE is raised in a proportion of patients with neurosarcoidosis, it is too insensitive and nonspecific to be useful as a marker for this condition.

References :
1. Linnebank M et al. Neurology 2003; 61: 1819-1820.
2. Oksanen V et al. Neurology 1985; 35: 1220-1222.
3. Dale J et al. Mayo Clinic Proceedings 1999; 74 :535.

Contact Information

Emails to chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz will receive priority attention from the on-call chemical pathologist.

If the query concerns a specific patient please include the NHI number in your email.

If email is not a suitable option, please contact the on-call chemical pathologist via Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995).

Individual chemical pathologists may be contacted but will not be available at all times.

After-hours : contact Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995) or hospital operator for on duty staff after hours.

Dr Samarina Musaad (Clinical Lead) : SamarinaM@adhb.govt.nz ext. 22402

Dr Cam Kyle: CampbellK@adhb.govt.nz ext 22052

Dr Weldon Chiu: WeldonC@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427

Dr Campbell Heron: CHeron@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427

Dr Sakunthala Jayasinghe: Sakunthala@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427

Specimen Transport Instructions for Referring Laboratories

Aliquot sample and freeze at -20 ^o C

Transport at -20 ^o C

Last updated at 15:26:00 06/01/2025