Lipase test
Lipase is a protein (enzyme) released by the pancreas into the small intestine. It helps the body absorb fat. This test is used to measure the amount of lipase in the blood.
Enzyme
Enzymes are complex proteins that cause a specific chemical change. For example, they can help break down the foods we eat so the body can use them....
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleHow the Test is Performed
A sample of blood will be taken from a vein.
Blood will be taken from a vein
Venipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein. It is most often done for laboratory testing.
How to Prepare for the Test
Do not eat for 8 hours before the test.
Your health care provider may ask you to stop taking medicines that may affect the test, such as:
- Birth control pills
- Cholinergic medicines
- Indomethacin
- Opiates (codeine, meperidine, and morphine)
- Thiazide diuretics
How the Test will Feel
You may feel slight pain or a sting when the needle is inserted to draw blood. There may be some throbbing at the site after the blood is drawn. Veins and arteries vary in size, so it may be harder to take a blood sample from one person than another.
Why the Test is Performed
This test is done to check for disease of the pancreas, most often acute pancreatitis.
Acute pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is sudden swelling and inflammation of the pancreas.
Lipase appears in excessive amounts in the blood when the pancreas is damaged.
Normal Results
In general, normal results are 0 to 160 units per liter (U/L) or 0 to 2.67 microkat/L (µkat/L).
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different labs. Some labs use different measurement methods. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
Higher-than-normal levels may be due to:
-
Blockage of the bowel (bowel obstruction)
Blockage of the bowel
Intestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of the bowel. The contents of the intestine cannot pass through it.
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-
Cancer of the pancreas
Cancer of the pancreas
Pancreatic cancer is cancer that starts in the pancreas.
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Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is swelling of the pancreas. Chronic pancreatitis is present when this problem does not heal or recurs and does not improve, gets worse...
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-
Pancreatic pseudocyst
Pancreatic pseudocyst
A pancreatic pseudocyst is a fluid-filled sac in the abdomen that arises from the pancreas. It may also contain tissue from the pancreas, enzymes, a...
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-
Renal failure
Renal failure
Acute kidney failure is the rapid (less than 2 days) loss of your kidneys' ability to remove waste and help balance fluids and electrolytes in your b...
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This test may also be done for familial lipoprotein lipase deficiency.
Familial lipoprotein lipase deficiency
Familial lipoprotein lipase deficiency is a group of rare genetic disorders in which a person lacks a protein needed to break down fat molecules. Th...
Risks
There is very little risk from your blood taken.
Other uncommon risks may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling lightheaded
-
Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
Hematoma
A bruise is an area of skin discoloration. A bruise occurs when small blood vessels break and leak their contents into the soft tissue beneath the s...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
Reviewed By
Frank D. Brodkey, MD, FCCM, Associate Professor, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Forsmark CE. Pancreatitis. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 130.
Siddiqi HA, Rabinowitz S, Axiotis CA. Laboratory diagnosis of gastrointestinal and pancreatic disorders. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 23.
Tenner S, Vege SS, Sheth SG, et al. American College of Gastroenterology Guidelines: Management of acute pancreatitis. Am J Gastro. 2024;119(3):419-437. PMID: 38857482 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38857482/.
Vege SS. Acute pancreatitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 58.
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