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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Low serum ACE level
Answered by
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Low serum ACE level
by betewil, Oct 08, 2002 12:00AM
I have developed chronic SOB over the past 6 months. This is associated with chest pain/tightness, air hunger and heart rate inappropriately fast with any activity (e.g. HR 120 after climb one filight of stairs. My symptoms are better with inhalers (beta-agonists I was told) and QVAR (inhaled steroid). My pulmonary function studies showed normal diffusion capacity (DLCO) and 10-15% (mild) obstructive numbers or so that improved with albuterol. My MD has done and these are normal: stress thallium heart test, CXR, lung CT scan, UGI/upper endoscopy and pH probe through the nose. The symptoms are still there so he did an ACE level saying that 75% are increased in sarcoidosis. Mine came back LOW! What does that mean?
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Oct 16, 2002 12:00AM
, Oct 16, 2002 12:00AM
It is my understanding that a low angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) level has no meaning as far as your health. It does not mean that you do not have sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis can affect the airways or bronchial tubes. This is called endobronchial sarcoidosis. Consideration should be given to having a bronchoscopy to see if you have sarcoidosis in your airways. A bronchoscopy is a procedure where a tube called a bronchoscope is passed through your nose into your windpipe to see into your lungs. With the bronchoscope tiny pieces of lung tissue can be taken for further testing.
The improvement in your symptoms with the beta agonist and the Qvar® and the improvement in your spirometry after using albuterol suggests that the obstruction in the airways is reversible. Having an exercise study could identify if you have exercise-induced asthma. The information provided suggests that the symptoms are not due to a heart problem.
The improvement in your symptoms with the beta agonist and the Qvar® and the improvement in your spirometry after using albuterol suggests that the obstruction in the airways is reversible. Having an exercise study could identify if you have exercise-induced asthma. The information provided suggests that the symptoms are not due to a heart problem.
