Bicarbonate secretion testing is done to diagnose chronic pancreatitis. This must be done using a hose, tube or catheter that is placed at the location where the pancreas empties juice into the intestine. The pancreas is stimulated with secretin (e.g. ChiRhoStim) and the juice is collected for analysis. The amount of fluid that is secreted is not as important as the concentration of bicarbonate, which should be > 80 mEq.