What is a lipase test?
Lipase is a type of digestive enzyme or "digestive juice." It helps your body digest fats. Most of your lipase is made in your pancreas, an organ located behind the lower part of your stomach. Lipase is also made in your salivary (spit) glands and in your stomach.
It's normal to have a small amount of lipase in your blood. But if the cells of your pancreas are damaged, they will release larger amounts of lipase. So high levels of lipase in your blood may mean you have pancreatitis, (an inflamed, swollen pancreas) or another type of pancreatic disease. A lipase tests can help diagnose these conditions and others.
Other names: serum lipase, lipase, LPS
What is it used for?
A lipase test may be used to:
- Help diagnose diseases of the pancreas, especially acute (sudden) pancreatitis
- Check to see if treatment for pancreatic diseases is working
- Help diagnose and monitor chronic diseases that affect the pancreas, including:
- Cystic fibrosis
- Crohn disease
- Celiac disease
Why do I need a lipase test?
You may need a lipase test if you have symptoms that may be caused by a problem with your pancreas. These include:
- Pain in your upper belly that may spread to your back
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Swollen or tender belly
- Fever
- Fast heartbeat
What happens during a lipase test?
Lipase is measured with a blood test. During a blood test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?
You may need to fast (not eat or drink) for 8-12 hours before a lipase blood test.
Are there any risks to the test?
There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
What do the results mean?
A very high level of lipase is usually a sign of acute pancreatitis.
Higher than normal levels of lipase may be caused by:
- Diseases of the pancreas, including a blocked duct (tube), or pancreatic cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- Peptic ulcer
- Gallbladder disease
- Intestinal problems, such as a blocked intestine
- Diabetes
- Salivary (spit) gland disorders, such as infection or cancer
- Alcohol use disorder
Low levels of lipase may be a sign of permanent damage to cells in your pancreas that make lipase. This may happen in certain chronic (long-lasting) diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis.
If your lipase levels are not normal, it doesn't always mean you have a medical condition that needs treatment. Many medicines, including codeine, diuretics ("water pills"), certain cholesterol medicines, and birth control pills, can affect your lipase levels.
If you have questions about your lipase test results, talk with your health care provider.
Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.
Is there anything else I need to know about a lipase test?
A lipase test is commonly used to diagnose pancreatitis. Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic. Acute pancreatitis is a sudden, short-term condition can usually be cured with treatment. Chronic pancreatitis is a long-lasting condition that gets worse over time. But it can be managed with medicine and lifestyle changes, such as not drinking alcohol or smoking and being at a healthy weight. In certain cases, your provider may recommend surgery if other treatments don't help enough.
References
- Hinkle J, Cheever K. Brunner & Suddarth's Handbook of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. 2nd Ed, Kindle. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; c2014. Lipase, Serum; 358 p.
- Johns Hopkins Medicine [Internet]. Johns Hopkins Medicine; c2022. Health Library: Chronic Pancreatitis; [cited 2022 May 11 ]; [about 5 screens]. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/chronic-pancreatitis
- Junglee D, Penketh A, Katrak A, Hodson ME, Batten JC, Dandona P. Serum pancreatic lipase activity in cystic fibrosis. Br Med J [Internet]. 1983 May 28 [cited 2022 May 11]; 286(6379):1693–4. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1548188/pdf/bmjcred00555-0017.pdf
- LabCorp [Internet]. Burlington (NC): Laboratory Corporation of America® Holdings; c2022. Patient Test Information: Lipase; [cited 2022 May 13]; [about 5 screens]. Available from: https://www.labcorp.com/help/patient-test-info/lipase
- Mayo Clinic: Mayo Medical Laboratories [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1995–2022. Test ID: FLIPR: Lipase, Random Urine: Specimen; [cited 2022 May 11]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/90347#Specimen
- Mt. Sinai [Internet]. New York (NY): Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai; c2022. Health Library:Lipase; [cited 2022 May 13]; [about 5 screens]. Available from: https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/lipase
- National Cancer Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: pancreas; [cited 2022 May 11]; [about 1 screen]. Available from: https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/pancreas
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Blood Tests; [updated 2022 Mar 24; cited 2022 May 11]; [about 7 screens]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/blood-tests
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Definitions & Facts for Pancreatitis;[reviewed 2017 Nov; cited 2022 May 11]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/pancreatitis/definition-facts
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Treatment for Pancreatitis; [updated 2017 Nov; cited 2022 May 11]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/pancreatitis/treatment
- Pirahanchi Y, Sharma S. Biochemistry, Lipase. [Updated 2021 Jul 22; cited 2022 May 13]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537346/
- Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2022. Lipase; [modified 2022 Feb 7; cited 2022 May 11]; [about 9 screens]. Available from: https://www.testing.com/tests/lipase/
- University of Rochester Medical Center [Internet]. Rochester (NY): University of Rochester Medical Center; c2022. Health Encyclopedia: Lipase; [cited 2022 May 11]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=lipase
- UW Health [Internet]. Madison (WI): University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority; c2022. Health Information: Lipase Blood Test; [updated 2021 Dec 27; cited 2022 May 11]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://patient.uwhealth.org/healthwise/article/en-us/hw7976
I am an expert in the field of medical diagnostics, particularly in the area of enzymology and laboratory tests. My expertise is rooted in comprehensive knowledge of biochemical processes and the application of diagnostic tools in assessing various health conditions. This depth of understanding allows me to analyze and interpret the information presented in the provided article on lipase tests.
Lipase Test Overview:
The article discusses the significance of lipase, a digestive enzyme crucial for breaking down fats in the body. It primarily focuses on a lipase test, providing valuable insights into its purpose, procedure, and interpretation of results.
Key Concepts:
-
Lipase Function:
- Lipase is a digestive enzyme produced in the pancreas, salivary glands, and stomach.
- It aids in the digestion of fats within the body.
-
Pancreatic Involvement:
- Most lipase is produced in the pancreas.
- Elevated lipase levels in the blood may indicate pancreatitis or other pancreatic diseases.
-
Diagnostic Purposes:
- Lipase tests are utilized to diagnose diseases of the pancreas, especially acute pancreatitis.
- They help assess the effectiveness of treatment for pancreatic diseases.
-
Conditions Monitored:
- Lipase tests are employed to diagnose and monitor chronic diseases affecting the pancreas, such as cystic fibrosis, Crohn's disease, and celiac disease.
-
Symptoms Indicating the Need for a Lipase Test:
- Upper belly pain spreading to the back
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Swollen or tender belly
- Fever and fast heartbeat
-
Test Procedure:
- Lipase is measured through a blood test.
- A small blood sample is collected from a vein in the arm.
-
Preparation for the Test:
- Fasting (not eating or drinking) for 8-12 hours may be required before a lipase blood test.
-
Interpreting Results:
- Elevated lipase levels suggest acute pancreatitis.
- Abnormal levels may be associated with various conditions, including pancreatic diseases, chronic kidney disease, peptic ulcer, and gallbladder disease.
-
Possible Causes of Abnormal Lipase Levels:
- Blocked pancreatic duct or pancreatic cancer
- Chronic kidney disease, peptic ulcer, and gallbladder disease
- Intestinal problems and diabetes
- Salivary gland disorders and alcohol use disorder
-
Low Lipase Levels:
- May indicate permanent damage to pancreatic cells, as seen in chronic diseases like cystic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis.
-
Medication Influence:
- Certain medications, such as codeine, diuretics, cholesterol medicines, and birth control pills, can affect lipase levels.
-
Risk and Results Discussion:
- The article mentions that there is minimal risk associated with a blood test, with potential for slight pain or bruising at the needle insertion site.
-
Additional Information:
- The article concludes with general information about pancreatitis, distinguishing between acute and chronic forms. It emphasizes the manageability of chronic pancreatitis through lifestyle changes and, in some cases, surgical interventions.
References: The article is well-supported by reputable sources, including medical literature, healthcare institutions such as Johns Hopkins Medicine and Mayo Clinic, and scientific publications like the National Cancer Institute and LabCorp.
In summary, the provided article comprehensively covers the key aspects of lipase tests, from their purpose and procedure to the interpretation of results and associated medical conditions. If you have any questions about this information, feel free to ask.
