Contributed by – Healthians Team
What is the Lipase test?
Lipase is an enzyme produced by our pancreas – a narrow flat organ about six inches long, located below the liver and between the stomach and the spine. This enzyme helps break down the dietary triglycerides (a type of fat) into fatty acids.
A lipase test is primarily performed to evaluate the amounts of lipase enzyme in the blood. Though lipase is always present in the blood in small quantities, increased amounts of it in the blood could mean the presence of pancreatic diseases such as pancreatitis, gallstone, or a pancreatic tumor.
Who should get a Lipase test?
A lipase test is usually ordered when symptoms of acute pancreatitis or other pancreatic disorder are present. They can be:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Jaundice
- Rapid pulse
- Loose stool
A doctor may also order a lipase test at intervals to monitor a pancreatic condition or the effectiveness of treatment.
Why is a Lipase test needed?
Our body needs certain levels of lipase to maintain digestive and cell function. But, having abnormally high lipase in the blood means health issues, often related to the pancreas.
An amylase test may also be ordered along with the lipase test to accurately detect pancreatic diseases. While the amylase test is sensitive to pancreatic diseases, it is not specific. This means that amylase levels can be high and indicate a health issue but that may not necessarily be related to the pancreas. On the other hand, the lipase test is more specific, especially for acute pancreatitis or acute alcoholic pancreatitis. Evaluating the results of the two tests together helps to accurately diagnose or rule out pancreatic diseases.
What does Lipase test results mean?
A normal range of lipase serum in the blood for adults is 10 to 73 U/L. But, remember that it can vary based on age, gender, the method used for the test, health history, and many other things. In fact, each lab can have its own reference range. So, always get your reports analyzed by a healthcare professional because he/she is better equipped to understand it and make a final diagnosis.
If the lipase test results show high levels of the enzyme in the blood, then this could mean the presence of any of the following condition:
- Gallstones
- A bowel obstruction
- Celiac disease
- Cholecystitis
- Ulcer
- Gastroenteritis
- Pancreatitis
- Pancreatic cancer
If the lipase levels are lower than normal in the blood, then that could indicate permanent damage to the lipase producing cells in the pancreas. This can happen in chronic pancreatic diseases such as cystic fibrosis.
How is the Lipase test done?
For a lipase test, a small sample of blood is needed. It is usually drawn from a vein in the arm. The process is usually simple, quick and painless.
Fasting before the test is not needed. But, be sure to inform your doctor of any other health condition that you might have and if you are taking medication because they can affect the results. Considering the information you provide, your doctor will guide you on what to do before the test.
