Lipase Blood Test: What It Is & Understanding the Results

What is a lipase blood test?

A lipase blood test (serum lipase test) measures the amount of the enzyme lipase in your blood.

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Your pancreas produces most of your body&#;s lipase. (Your stomach and salivary glands produce smaller amounts). During digestion, lipase flows from your pancreas to your small intestine, where it helps you digest fats.

It&#;s normal to have small amounts of lipase in your blood. But high levels may mean your pancreas is releasing lipase because of an injury. High levels of lipase may signal inflammation in your pancreas (pancreatitis) or other conditions.

Why would a doctor order a lipase test?

Healthcare providers usually order lipase blood tests if you have symptoms of acute pancreatitis. Symptoms include:

These symptoms, alongside exceptionally high lipase levels, are the primary criteria providers use to diagnose acute pancreatitis.

A lipase blood test, with other pancreatic blood tests &#; like an amylase test &#; can help providers diagnose pancreatic disorders, like a pancreatic cyst or pancreatic duct obstruction. It can also help them pinpoint the issue causing the inflammation. Lipase levels can also be elevated in some non-pancreatic disorders, such as kidney, stomach and intestine diseases.

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In some cases, lipase blood tests can show how you&#;re responding to treatments addressing the underlying condition. Your provider will let you know if you need follow-up lipase tests.

This article takes a close look at the uses, procedures, results, and ranges of a lipase test. Read on to learn how to lower elevated levels of lipase.

The doctor may also check levels of another enzyme called amylase at the same time as the lipase test. This can provide more information that will help with diagnosing a disorder of the pancreas.

A lipase test, also known as a serum lipase test, can show whether levels of lipase are high. Although a lipase test is not specific to the pancreas, when combined with symptoms of pancreatic disease, high levels may indicate a problem with the pancreas.

The pancreas produces lipase during digestion. This enzyme helps the intestines break down fats. Inflammation or injury to the pancreas can cause lipase to diffuse into the bloodstream.

A doctor may recommend a lipase blood test if a person has symptoms of a pancreatic disorder. Lipase is an enzyme that may be high in people with pancreatitis, or other conditions.

Following diagnosis, the doctor can use lipase and amylase tests to monitor the treatment of the condition.

The doctor may order an amylase test alongside the lipase test. The results of an amylase test can support the diagnosis of pancreatic disease.

A doctor will usually order a lipase test if a person shows signs of a pancreatic disorder.

Doctors may use a lipase test to diagnose or monitor conditions that involve the pancreas, including :

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Result times vary, depending on the facilities. A person can ask their doctor to estimate when they expect to receive the results. The doctor will arrange to review the results with the person.

The technician then sends the blood sample to a laboratory, where the lipase levels are measured and analyzed.

A technician will first tie a band around the person&#;s arm so blood pools in their vein. The technician will then select a vein, clean the area, and draw blood with a small needle.

A lipase test is like any other simple blood test .

The doctor may also advise against taking certain medications before the test.

A person taking any medications or supplements should tell the doctor about them in advance because some substances can interfere with lipase test results.

The doctor usually requests a person stop eating for a specified amount of time before the blood test.

Preparation for a lipase test is minimal. As with any medical test, follow the advice and instructions of doctors and technicians.

Typical ranges for results vary depending on several factors, including sex, age, and overall health. They will also vary between lab facilities.

Because of this, it is important to discuss the results with a doctor. The same result may indicate a problem in one person and not in another.

If a person&#;s lipase levels are three times over the normal upper limit, this can indicate acute pancreatitis.

A pancreatic attack causes blood lipase levels to rise within 3&#;6 hours. These levels may stay elevated for up to 2 weeks.

Causes of high lipase

Certain conditions may lead to high lipase levels, including:

Some medications may also lead to increased lipase levels. These include:

• codeine
• indomethacin
• some birth control pills
• thiazide diuretics
• cholinergic drugs
• morphine

Causes of low lipase

Significantly low lipase levels may indicate damage to the pancreatic cells that produce lipase.

This can result from long-term disorders, such as chronic pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis.

In some cases, advanced pancreatic cancer may also result in decreased pancreatic enzyme levels.

A medical professional may evaluate for this depending on the context and a person&#;s medical history.