Lipase Test
At a Glance
Why Get Tested?
To diagnose and monitor pancreatitis or other pancreatic disease
When to Get Tested?
When you have symptoms of a pancreatic disease, such as severe abdominal pain, fever, loss of appetite or nausea
Sample Required?
A blood sample taken from a vein in the arm
The Test Sample
What is being tested?
Lipase is an enzyme manufactured primarily by the pancreas. It is released into the duodenum to help digest fatty foods. Small amounts are present in blood. When pancreatic cells are inflamed as in pancreatitis or when its path into the duodenum is blocked by a gallstone or, rarely, a pancreatic tumour, increased amounts of lipase pass into the blood.
How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is taken by needle from a vein in the arm.
NOTE: If undergoing medical tests makes you or someone you care for anxious, embarrassed, or even difficult to manage, you might consider reading one or more of the following articles: Coping with Test Pain, Discomfort, and Anxiety, Tips on Blood Testing, Tips to Help Children through Their Medical Tests, and Tips to Help the Elderly through Their Medical Tests.
Another article, Follow That Sample, provides a glimpse at the collection and processing of a blood sample and throat culture.
The Test
How is it used?
The blood test for lipase may be used along with a test for amylase to help diagnose pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and other pancreatic diseases. It is also used to a lesser extent in the diagnosis and follow-up of cystic fibrosis, coeliac disease, and Crohn's disease.
When is it requested?
A lipase test may be used if you show symptoms of a pancreatic disorder, such as severe abdominal pain, fever, loss of appetite, or nausea and to monitor the effect of treatment.
What does the test result mean?
Normal values for lipase depend on the test used to measure it. In acute pancreatitis, lipase levels are very high, often 2 to 5 times normal. Slightly high lipase values may occur in other conditions such as kidney disease, salivary gland inflammation, or peptic ulcer disease. Occasionally lipase is high due to a tumour (cancer). A rapid and sharp rise of lipase in the blood within hours after the beginning of an attack, and a decline after about 4 days, usually indicates acute pancreatitis.
Is there anything else I should know?
In acute pancreatitis, the changes seen in lipase levels are usually similar to those of another pancreatic enzyme called amylase, but remains elevated longer (for 5 to 7 days).
Lipase and amylase are sometimes used together to diagnose acute pancreatitis. Either lipase or amylase levels may be requested to help diagnose acute pancreatitis. Either test may also be used to monitor chronic pancreatitis. They may be moderately elevated in chronic pancreatic disease but levels can fall if the cells that produce amylase and lipase in the pancreas become damaged or destroyed. Drugs that may interfere with maintaining proper lipase levels include codeine, indomethacin and morphine.
Common Questions
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Article Sources
NOTE: This article is based on research that utilizes the sources cited here as well as the collective experience of the Lab Tests Online Editorial Review Board. This article is periodically reviewed by the Editorial Board and may be updated as a result of the review. Any new sources cited will be added to the list and distinguished from the original sources used.
