I have a low cholinesterase serum level. What does it mean?

Question

Hello doctor,

Can you tell me if I have pseudocholinesterase deficiency based on the blood results below? My father has it and found out the hard way after surgery. His sister also has it. The results from my blood test were:

1. Cholinesterase, serum Result: 2228 L Reference range: 2673-6592 IU/L.

2. Cholinesterase W/DIB INH cholinesterase, serum Result: 2228 L Reference range: 2673-6592 IU/L.

3. Dibucaine number Result: 81.3 L Reference range: 81.6-88.3 % Inhibit.

Please guide.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You may have atypical pseudocholinesterase deficiency (a rare genetic disorder that makes people extremely sensitive to certain muscle relaxants used during general anesthesia) due to a heterozygous mutation, which is hereditary. Pseudocholinesterase is an enzyme responsible for the metabolism of certain anesthetic drugs like succinylcholine and the ester group of local anesthetics.

Your Dibucaine level is 81 L, which is quite normal. But still, some drugs can be avoided if you require anesthesia. It is not like you can not have a surgery. If you have a surgery in the future, please tell your anesthetist about this, so he will be more careful in choosing drugs.

I hope this lessens your worries to some extent.

Please let me know if you need any help.

Thank you.