BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuACE blood testSerum angiotensin-converting enzyme; SACEThe ACE test measures the level of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in the blood.EnzymeEnzymes are complex proteins that cause a specific chemical change. For example, they can help break down the foods we eat so the body can use them....Read Article Now Book Mark Article How the Test is Performed A blood sample is needed.Blood sample is neededVenipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein. It is most often done for laboratory testing.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How to Prepare for the Test Follow your health care provider's instructions for not eating or drinking for up to 12 hours before the test. If you are on steroid medicine, ask your provider if you need to stop the medicine before the test, because steroids can decrease ACE levels. Do not stop any medicine before talking to your provider. How the Test will Feel When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or slight bruising. This soon goes away. Why the Test is Performed This test is most often ordered to help diagnose and monitor a disorder called sarcoidosis. People with sarcoidosis may have their ACE level tested regularly to check how severe the disease is and how well treatment is working. SarcoidosisSarcoidosis is a disease in which inflammation occurs in the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, eyes, skin, and/or other tissues.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article This test may also help confirm a diagnosis of Gaucher disease.Gaucher diseaseGaucher disease is a rare genetic disorder in which a person lacks an enzyme called glucocerebrosidase (GBA).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Normal Results Normal values vary based on your age and the test method used. Adults have an ACE level less than 40 micrograms per liter.Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results. What Abnormal Results Mean Higher than normal ACE level may be a sign of sarcoidosis. ACE levels may rise or fall as sarcoidosis worsens or improves.A higher than normal ACE level may also be seen in several other diseases and disorders, including:Adrenal glands do not make enough hormones (Addison disease) Addison diseaseAddison disease is a disorder that causes the adrenal glands to not produce enough hormones.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cancer of the lymph tissue (Hodgkin disease) Hodgkin diseaseHodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of lymph tissue. Lymph tissue is found in the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, bone marrow, and other sites.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diabetes DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Liver swelling and inflammation (hepatitis) due to alcohol use HepatitisHepatitis is swelling and inflammation of the liver.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lung disease such as asthma, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or tuberculosis AsthmaAsthma is a chronic disease that causes the airways of the lungs to swell and narrow. It leads to breathing difficulty such as wheezing, shortness o...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease. Having COPD makes it hard to breathe. There are two main forms of COPD:Chroni...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article TuberculosisPulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection that involves the lungs. It may spread to other organs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome Nephrotic syndromeNephrotic syndrome is a group of symptoms and abnormal test results that include protein in the urine, low blood protein levels in the blood, high ch...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Multiple sclerosis Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) HyperthyroidismHyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. The condition is often called overactive thyroid.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Overactive parathyroid glands (hyperparathyroidism) HyperparathyroidismHyperparathyroidism is a disorder in which 1 or more of the parathyroid glands in your neck produce too much parathyroid hormone (PTH).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stomach ulcerLower than normal ACE level may indicate:Chronic liver disease Chronic kidney failure Eating disorder called anorexia nervosa Anorexia nervosaAnorexia is an eating disorder that causes people to weigh less than is considered healthy for their age and height, usually by excessive weight loss...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Steroid therapy (usually prednisone) Therapy for sarcoidosis Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) HypothyroidismHypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. This condition is often called underactive thyroid....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Risks There is little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:Excessive bleeding Fainting or feeling lightheaded Hematoma (blood buildup under the skin) Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken) Multiple punctures to locate veinsOpen ReferencesReferencesPincus MR, Carty RP. Clinical enzymology. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 21.Vaidya A, Zennaro MC, Stowasser M. Primary aldosteronism. In: Robertson RP, ed. DeGroot's Endocrinology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 95.Young WF. Endocrine hypertension. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 16.AllVideoImagesTogBlood test - illustration Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.Blood testillustrationBlood test - illustration Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.Blood testillustrationA Closer Look High blood pressure - InDepth(In-Depth)High blood pressure(Alt. Medicine)Diabetes - type 2 - InDepth(In-Depth)Diabetes - type 1 - InDepth(In-Depth)Atherosclerosis(Alt. Medicine)Stroke(Alt. Medicine)Myocardial infarction(Alt. Medicine)Heart failure - InDepth(In-Depth)Stroke - InDepth(In-Depth)Coronary artery disease - InDepth(In-Depth)Self Care Long-term complications of diabetes Tests for ACE blood test ACE blood testPotassium testRenal perfusion scintiscanPotassium urine testRelated Information Enzyme(Special Topic)Sarcoidosis(Condition)Leprosy(Condition)Histoplasmosis(Condition)Cirrhosis(Condition)Primary amyloidosis(Condition)Asbestosis(Condition)Diabetes(Condition)Hodgkin lymphoma(Condition)Hyperthyroidism(Condition)Cirrhosis - InDepth(In-Depth)Diabetes - type 1 - InDepth(In-Depth)Hodgkin disease - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 11/19/2023 Reviewed By: Jacob Berman, MD, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
ACE blood testSerum angiotensin-converting enzyme; SACEThe ACE test measures the level of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in the blood.EnzymeEnzymes are complex proteins that cause a specific chemical change. For example, they can help break down the foods we eat so the body can use them....Read Article Now Book Mark Article How the Test is Performed A blood sample is needed.Blood sample is neededVenipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein. It is most often done for laboratory testing.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How to Prepare for the Test Follow your health care provider's instructions for not eating or drinking for up to 12 hours before the test. If you are on steroid medicine, ask your provider if you need to stop the medicine before the test, because steroids can decrease ACE levels. Do not stop any medicine before talking to your provider. How the Test will Feel When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or slight bruising. This soon goes away. Why the Test is Performed This test is most often ordered to help diagnose and monitor a disorder called sarcoidosis. People with sarcoidosis may have their ACE level tested regularly to check how severe the disease is and how well treatment is working. SarcoidosisSarcoidosis is a disease in which inflammation occurs in the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, eyes, skin, and/or other tissues.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article This test may also help confirm a diagnosis of Gaucher disease.Gaucher diseaseGaucher disease is a rare genetic disorder in which a person lacks an enzyme called glucocerebrosidase (GBA).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Normal Results Normal values vary based on your age and the test method used. Adults have an ACE level less than 40 micrograms per liter.Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results. What Abnormal Results Mean Higher than normal ACE level may be a sign of sarcoidosis. ACE levels may rise or fall as sarcoidosis worsens or improves.A higher than normal ACE level may also be seen in several other diseases and disorders, including:Adrenal glands do not make enough hormones (Addison disease) Addison diseaseAddison disease is a disorder that causes the adrenal glands to not produce enough hormones.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cancer of the lymph tissue (Hodgkin disease) Hodgkin diseaseHodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of lymph tissue. Lymph tissue is found in the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, bone marrow, and other sites.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diabetes DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Liver swelling and inflammation (hepatitis) due to alcohol use HepatitisHepatitis is swelling and inflammation of the liver.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lung disease such as asthma, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or tuberculosis AsthmaAsthma is a chronic disease that causes the airways of the lungs to swell and narrow. It leads to breathing difficulty such as wheezing, shortness o...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease. Having COPD makes it hard to breathe. There are two main forms of COPD:Chroni...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article TuberculosisPulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection that involves the lungs. It may spread to other organs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome Nephrotic syndromeNephrotic syndrome is a group of symptoms and abnormal test results that include protein in the urine, low blood protein levels in the blood, high ch...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Multiple sclerosis Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) HyperthyroidismHyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. The condition is often called overactive thyroid.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Overactive parathyroid glands (hyperparathyroidism) HyperparathyroidismHyperparathyroidism is a disorder in which 1 or more of the parathyroid glands in your neck produce too much parathyroid hormone (PTH).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stomach ulcerLower than normal ACE level may indicate:Chronic liver disease Chronic kidney failure Eating disorder called anorexia nervosa Anorexia nervosaAnorexia is an eating disorder that causes people to weigh less than is considered healthy for their age and height, usually by excessive weight loss...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Steroid therapy (usually prednisone) Therapy for sarcoidosis Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) HypothyroidismHypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. This condition is often called underactive thyroid....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Risks There is little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:Excessive bleeding Fainting or feeling lightheaded Hematoma (blood buildup under the skin) Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken) Multiple punctures to locate veinsOpen ReferencesReferencesPincus MR, Carty RP. Clinical enzymology. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 21.Vaidya A, Zennaro MC, Stowasser M. Primary aldosteronism. In: Robertson RP, ed. DeGroot's Endocrinology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 95.Young WF. Endocrine hypertension. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 16.