Lipase Test

A lipase test is most often recommended to individuals who are suspected to have pancreatic conditions. Your doctor may recommend a lipase test if you are experiencing the following symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Back pain
• Abdominal pain radiating to the back or worsening after meals
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Rapid pulse
• Loss of appetite
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Loose and fatty stools

This test is also recommended in individuals undergoing treatment for pancreatic conditions to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy and monitor the state of the pancreas.

Individuals suffering from familial lipoprotein lipase deficiency, a rare genetic disorder are also advised this test often.

You will be asked to fast for about 8-12 hours before the test. No food or drink should be consumed during fasting.

Some drugs can alter test results. So, inform your doctor about any medication, herbs, vitamins and nutritional supplement that you took in the recent past.

This test involves the collection of a blood sample from a vein in the arm or hands.

A lab-technician will first tie an elastic band called tourniquet around your arm; this causes swelling of veins and helps in easy location of a blood vessel for sample collection. The withdrawn sample will then be collected in a vial or a syringe using a needle.

In infants, the blood sample is collected from the heel by using a sterile needle or lancet.

This test does not pose any major risks, but you may notice slight bruising at the site of blood withdrawal, which will fade away soon.

Test results may vary based on numerous factors, including age, gender, health history of the patient and the method employed for testing the sample. A doctor should always be consulted for appropriate interpretation of results.

Normal results: The normal range of lipase for adults younger than 60 years is 0-160 U/litre (L) or 0-2.67 microkat/L.

Normal values may slightly vary between different laboratories.

Abnormal results: Higher than normal levels indicate the presence of abnormalities in the pancreas. Lipase levels 3-10 times the normal levels indicate acute pancreatitis, ie inflammation of the pancreas with a sudden onset. High lipase levels can also be observed due to the following:

• A blocked bowel
• Duodenal ulcers
• Pancreatic cancer
• Pancreatic pseudocyst, a complication of pancreatitis
• Celiac disease
• Kidney failure
• Liver cirrhosis

Disclaimer: All results must be clinically correlated with the patient’s complaints to make a complete and accurate diagnosis. The above information is provided from a purely educational point of view and is in no way a substitute for medical advice by a qualified doctor.