Is It Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency or IBS?

There are many signs, symptoms, and conditions that can mimic irritable bowel syndrome. I believe it is important to be knowledgeable in order to help us feel better! After all, we are the ones who know our bodies the best. We are all looking for "cures" and answers, and this could be one of them.

What is exocrine pancreatic insufficiency?

A condition called exocrine pancreatic insufficiency causes problems with food digestion. When this condition is present, the pancreas doesn't make enough enzymes in our small intestines that are required to break down and absorb nutrients. Enzymes are important because they speed up chemical reactions in our bodies. When there is a shortage of enzymes, a person with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is unable to get the nutrition they need because the body doesn’t absorb proper amounts of fats, vitamins, and minerals from food. This can cause one to have belly pain and lose weight.

The most common causes of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency are chronic pancreatitis, having surgery on your pancreas, stomach, or intestines, Cystic fibrosis, Crohn’s disease, and celiac disease. The good news is, there are treatments called pancreatic enzyme replacement therapies that work for most people. They give sufficient supply of enzymes so food is able to correctly digest. Other than taking medicine, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency can be managed by making sure the right diet is followed, including adding more vitamins and minerals and eating more healthy fats. Of course, it is always important to consult your physician or a dietitian before beginning a new diet.¹

How does exocrine pancreatic insufficiency relate to IBS?

One might ask, "what can be done to check for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency?" You can ask your doctor to run a blood test to check for certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Celiac disease labs can also be requested, as it is a known cause of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. There are also 3-day fecal tests that can be done. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency may not cause any symptoms at first, but once the pancreas becomes too damaged, it starts to affect the body’s ability to absorb fat. Because of this, one may get symptoms similar to IBS such as pain or belly tenderness, foul-smelling bowel movements, gas, diarrhea, and bloating.²

I can definitely see why someone would assume this is just IBS! It is also possible to live with both of these conditions. In fact, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency has been detected in patients in a study who met the criteria for IBS-D. It is thought that pancreatic enzyme therapy might reduce diarrhea and abdominal pain.³

Listen to your gut, and be persistent in finding a cause!