Quick Look
Lipase, an enzyme from the pancreas, aids in digesting fats. Increased blood lipase levels may indicate pancreatitis, characterized by pancreas inflammation. Elevated lipase can also result from pancreas issues, specific medications, or conditions like kidney disease, cancer, and gallbladder or esophagus problems.
A lipase test gauges lipase levels in the blood. If you experience abdominal pain or symptoms possibly linked to pancreatitis, your doctor may order this test. It can also be used to assess other health conditions you might have.
Why is it done?
Lipase testing serves to evaluate diseases of the pancreas, primarily acute pancreatitis, where the pancreas, an organ behind the stomach, becomes inflamed and swollen. The pancreas produces essential hormones and enzymes, including lipase.
Occasionally, healthcare professionals use this test to diagnose chronic pancreatitis, a persistent condition that results in permanent pancreatic damage. Additionally, they may order the lipase test to diagnose other health conditions such as:
- Intestinal obstruction or injury
- Pancreatic cysts
- Peritonitis
- Cystic fibrosis
What does the Lipase test measure?
A lipase test quantifies the pancreatic enzyme lipase present in the blood. Lipase, a digestive enzyme produced by the pancreas, aids in breaking down food during digestion for absorption. Having some lipase in the blood is normal, as it plays a crucial role in digesting fats.
When the pancreas is damaged or inflamed, it produces increased amounts of lipase. In cases of acute pancreatitis, lipase levels in the blood are typically highest on the first day of symptom development. Lipase levels usually normalize within 14 days.
When is the Lipase test done?
Your doctor may recommend a lipase test if you are experiencing symptoms that could be related to an abnormal pancreatic condition, especially suggestive of acute pancreatitis.
Symptoms of acute pancreatitis may include:
- Pain in the abdomen
- Abdominal swelling or tenderness
- Fever
- Vomiting and nausea
- Rapid heartbeat
- Pale stools
- A full or bloated feeling
- Jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes
The lipase test may be given alone or in combination with imaging or other blood tests such as an amylase test.
Normal Results
Typically, normal lipase results fall within the range of 0 to 160 units per liter (U/L) or 0 to 2.67 microkat/L (µkat/L).
It’s important to note that normal value ranges might slightly differ between laboratories due to varying measurement methods. If you undergo a lipase test, discussing the significance of your specific test results with your healthcare provider is recommended.
References:
- (2022). Retrieved from https://www.testing.com/tests/lipase/
- (N.d.-a). Retrieved from https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/tests/lipase-test
- (N.d.-b). Retrieved from https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/8328
