Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Blood Test
This Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Blood Test is useful in evaluating patients presenting with sarcoidosis, Gaucher's disease and lymphoangiomyomatosis in that the enzyme is increased in these clinical settings.
Description
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme blood test is used to monitor a disease called sarcoidosis. This disease causes granulomas to form in the body, which causes organ inflammation. Organs commonly affected by sarcoidosis include the:
- lungs
- liver
- skin
- heart
- eyes
- spleen
- lymph nodes
People with sarcoidosis may experience:
- fatigue
- joint pain
- fever
- dry mouth
- unexplained weight loss
- night sweats
- nosebleeds
- a loss of appetite
- swollen lymph nodes
The granulomas associated with sarcoidosis will increase the amount of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme in the bloodstream.
This test can also be used to assess the effectiveness of treatments for other medical conditions.
Other conditions that may cause low levels of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme levels include:
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- emphysema
- hypothyroidism
- cystic fibrosis
Conditions that may cause high levels of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme include:
- cirrhosis
- hyperthyroidism
- Gaucher’s disease
- leprosy
- psoriasis
- lymphoma
- amyloidosis
- tuberculosis
- diabetes
- HIV
- histoplasmosis
While an ACE level test can help reveal signs of underlying medical conditions, the test is rarely used to diagnose these conditions. Other tests are usually performed along with an Angiotensin Converting Enzyme level test before a diagnosis is confirmed.
