If it is not, this may be indicative of a problem in the pancreas, which could be serious. Optimize Your Lab Results to Strengthen Your Immune System! The following symptoms can be a sign of pancreas inflammation: The test may also be used to monitor your pancreas if you’ve already been diagnosed with acute (sudden, severe) or chronic (ongoing) pancreatitis. Since the reference values for lipase will vary from laboratory to laboratory, depending on the test method used, there is no universally accepted number that can be called normal or high. Lipase helps your intestines break down the fats in the food you’re eating. A lipase test measures the amount of lipase in your blood and how well your pancreas works. 5.0. High lipase levels may also indicate gastroenteritis (stomach flu), an ulcer, or a bowel obstruction. If you have symptoms that may indicate that something is wrong with your pancreas, one of the first things your doctor will do is to order a lipase test to ensure that the pancreas is working properly. Talk to your doctor about your medications. Lipase blood levels can increase due to pancreas inflammation or damage. Familial Lipoprotein Lipase Deficiency. Pancreatitis [42 paragraphs]. Low lipase levels may be telling of chronic pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis, while higher-than-normal lipase levels may indicate the presence of pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer. The most important thing is to work with your doctor to find out what’s causing your low lipase and to treat any underlying conditions! Thomas, Clayton L., Editor (1997). However, the lipase test is used to measure the amount of the pancreatic lipase in the your blood 1). For a lipase test specifically, the doctor will want you to be fasting for 8 to 12 hours prior to the administration of the test. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. You shouldn’t eat or drink anything but water for 8 to 12 hours before the test. Most people make the right amount of lipase in their pancreas -- an organ behind your stomach that helps with digestion and blood sugar control. Sometimes, a lipase test will also be used to monitor other conditions including: If you have a lipase test scheduled ahead of time, you’ll need to fast. If you’ve never taken a fasting blood test before, there are a few things to keep in mind. lipase test: Definition The lipase test is a blood test performed to determine the serum level of a specific protein (enzyme) involved in digestion. The risks of a lipase test are minimal. Be sure they know all the prescription medications, over-the-counter meds, and supplements you take. Available FTP: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/pancreatitis/, When you have symptoms of a pancreatic disorder, such as severe abdominal pain, fever, loss of appetite, or nausea, A blood sample drawn from a vein in the arm, This test measures the amount of lipase in the blood. Your doctor is likely to order more invasive tests if your lipase levels are on either side of the normal range. Under normal conditions, not much of this enzyme makes it into the blood from the gut. These include: You don’t need to fast before a lipase test. When the pancreas is inflamed or injured, it releases more lipase than usual, which reaches the blood and builds up. Orlistat combined with a multivitamin reduced vitamin E absorption, and levels of vitamin D and vitamin K in a study of 17 people. If for any reason, you cannot give blood from your arm, the phlebotomist may be able to use your hands or your feet. When cells in the pancreas are injured (as in pancreatitis) or the pancreatic duct is blocked (by a gallstone or rarely by a pancreatic tumor), increased amounts of lipase leak into the bloodstream, increasing blood concentrations. Certain levels of lipase are needed to maintain normal digestive and cell function. Normal levels vary slightly between labs, so you and your doctor will look at the ranges given with your results to figure out how your lipase levels compare with the normal. When your pancreas is inflamed or injured, it releases more lipase than usual. Labs in the ‘normal range’ does not always indicate optimal health. The lipase test may be used along with a blood amylase test to detect pancreatic diseases. You may also notice bruising at the site after the test is over. A lipase test measures the level of a protein called lipase in your blood. This test measures the amount of lipase in the blood. You must consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition. It can also be used to find out whether a treatment is working well. Common medications that may affect the results of the lipase test include: The lipase test is performed on blood taken from a standard blood draw. If the test finds more than the normal amount, it could mean your pancreas is damaged. It is a protein that is a small, yet important part of how the digestive system works. Your email address will not be published. Don’t stop taking any of your medications without checking with your doctor first. Skip to main content Alert: LabCorp COVID-19 ... Serum lipase is usually normal in patients with elevated serum amylase, without pancreatitis, who have peptic ulcer, salivary adenitis, inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal obstruction, and macroamylasemia. Bone broth boasts many benefits for gut healing, joint repairing, sleep, and more. Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. We believe that the most accurate information is found directly in the scientific source. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003465.htm, S4 If you're concerned about pancreatitis because of your gastrointestinal symptoms, you or your doctor may want to assess your levels of lipase, a digestive enzyme made by the pancreas that helps break down dietary fat. An amylase test is not typically ordered alone in modern times, because even though it can help diagnose pancreatic disease, it can also come back with false positives. Find out which of your labs are not in the optimal range and how to get them there so that you can keep your immune system in top shape with Lab Test Analyzer! Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn how your comment data is processed. A healthcare professional in a clinical setting will take the blood sample from your arm. Before joining SelfHacked, she was a research scientist with extensive field and laboratory experience. Other than that, when your lipase is high you should: Pancreatic lipase breaks down fats in the gut, which helps the body absorb and use them. All rights reserved. Doctors may order a lipase test if they suspect pancreas inflammation (pancreatitis). Causes below are commonly associated with low lipase levels. Terms of Use. If you need more information on a lipase test or feel you may be struggling with some pancreatic symptoms, request an appointment today at Gi Associates & Endoscopy Center. Other conditions can also cause slightly increased lipase levels, including: Although doctors consider the lipase test the best one to diagnose acute pancreatitis, your doctor may also order a blood test for amylase, another enzyme that rises with pancreatitis. Lipase is one of several, The blood test for lipase is ordered, often along with an, A lipase test may be ordered when a patient has symptoms of a. Needle sticks may result in pain at the site where your blood is drawn. We have three distinct Mississippi locations for your convenience and for individualized care. Anti-obesity drugs that block pancreatic lipase are orlistat (Xenical, Alli) and cetilistat (in clinical trials). Afterward, you might bleed a little where the health care professional inserted the needle. Avoiding gluten isn’t always easy. Let us partner with you in the thing that matters most - your health. Causes given below are commonly associated with high lipase levels. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. A doctor will order a lipase test if they suspect that you may have acute pancreatitis -- an inflammation of the pancreas that causes abdominal pain. An amylase test is used to diagnose diseases of the pancreas, but is used less frequently since it can come back high due to other problems.