The Significance of Elevated ACE

The ACE blood test measures the amount of ACE, or angiotensin-converting enzyme, in a patient’s blood. Elevated levels of this substance can be a sign of sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease, or several other medical conditions.

Sarcoidosis

• According to U.S. National Library of Medicine's Medline Plus, doctors may order ACE blood tests for patients with sarcoidosis to monitor the severity of the disease and measure a patient’s response to treatment. Sarcoidosis is a disease that can cause inflammation in the lungs, lymph nodes or liver and results in elevated ACE levels.

Gaucher’s Disease

• Doctors may use high ACE blood test results to confirm a diagnosis of Gaucher’s disease, an inherited metabolic disorder, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Leprosy

• Physicians may order an ACE blood test for patients who are suspected of having leprosy. An elevated ACE level would confirm a diagnosis of this disease.

Other Medical Conditions

• Elevated ACE blood test results can occur in patients with diabetes, hyperthyroidism or emphysema. Patients with Hodgkin’s disease, lung cancer or scleroderma may also have high ACE levels in their blood.

Decreased ACE Levels

• ACE levels may decrease in patients who receive steroids such as prednisone.