Lipase test
Pancreatitis - blood lipaseLipase 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 the lipase in the blood.
Enzyme
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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:
- Bethanechol
- Birth control pills
- Cholinergic medicines
- Codeine
- Indomethacin
- Meperidine
- Methacholine
- 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 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 laboratories. Some laboratories 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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- Duodenal ulcer
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Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is cancer that starts in the pancreas.
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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:
- Bleeding from the needle puncture site
- Fainting or feeling lightheaded
- Blood collecting under the skin
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
References
Crockett SD, Wani S, Gardner TB, Falck-Ytter Y, Barkun AN; American Gastroenterological Association Institute Clinical Guidelines Committee. American Gastroenterological Association Institute guideline on initial management of acute pancreatitis. Gastroenterology. 2018;154(4):1096-1101. PMID: 29409760 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29409760.
Forsmark CE. Pancreatitis. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 144.
Siddiqi HA, Salwen MJ, Shaikh MF, Bowne WB. Laboratory diagnosis of gastrointestinal and pancreatic disorders. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 23rd ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2017:chap 22.
Tenner S, Steinberg WM. Acute pancreatitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 58.
Blood test - illustration
Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.
Blood test
illustration
Blood test - illustration
Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.
Blood test
illustration
Review Date: 1/26/2019
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
