What is Lipase?

Lipase Lipase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of lipids in the human body.

It is an enzyme that breaks down dietary fats into smaller molecules such as fatty acids and glycerol that can be absorbed and used by the body for energy.

Lipase is an enzyme primarily produced by the pancreas but is secreted by the liver, stomach, and intestines in smaller amounts.

A lipase blood test is generally conducted to estimate the amount of lipase contained in the blood.

It is particularly useful in the diagnosis of diseases related to the pancreas: acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis.

Since lipases increase in the blood when the pancreas is inflamed, lipase tests are highly useful for diagnosing pancreatic health.

In this article, we'll discuss the function of lipase, how a test for a lipase is performed, and what the clinical significance of the level of lipase is in the diagnosis of diseases affecting the pancreas or other parts of the digestive system.

What is Lipase?

Lipase is an enzyme that breaks down dietary fats into smaller molecules, which the intestines can easily absorb.

The principal source of lipase in the body is the pancreas, and it produces the enzyme in huge amounts. Any time you take fatty foods, the pancreas release lipase into the small intestine where it facilitates the digestion process.

In addition to the pancreas, there are other organs, including the liver and the stomach that also secrete lipase, though less than what the pancreas secreted.

Lipase is present in blood, but a high level indicates inflammation of the pancreas.

Lipase in the Pancreas

The pancreas is an organ located behind the stomach.

It serves two main purposes: in the digestive tract and in controlling blood sugar.

As part of its digestive functions, it secretes enzymes; one of these enzymes is lipase that aids in the digestion process. With pancreatitis: either with acute pancreatitis or chronic pancreatitis, the healthy functioning of the organ is impeded and lipase in your blood is elevated.

For acute pancreatitis, the inflammation of the pancreas begins suddenly, and vast amounts of lipase are released into the blood.

It is thus possible through the monitoring of lipase levels to get an idea regarding the severity of pancreatic inflammation, with better diagnosis and treatment of this condition also being achieved.

What is a Lipase Test?

A Lipase Test refers to the test used to find out the degree of lipase found in blood. This test will give a piece of information as to whether there is some pancreatic problem; for example, acute pancreatitis or any other pancreatic diseases.

The lipase blood test is not so complicated. It requires collecting a blood sample from a patient's body.

Doctors may sometimes order a lipase test when symptoms such as acute or severe abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting occur and may suggest a pancreas problem.

High levels of lipase in the blood may be indicative of having acute pancreatitis or another pancreatic condition that needs to be attended to by medical professionals.

Which Situation Requires a Lipase Test?

Doctors can order a lipase test if you experience symptoms related to a pancreas illness, such as acute pancreatitis or chronic pancreatitis. Some symptoms of these diseases may include the following:

- Acute pain in the abdomen which radiates to your back

- Nausea and vomiting

- Fever

- Tachycardia

- Increased swelling and tenderness of the abdomen

If you have this symptom, your doctor may suspect that there's a problem with your pancreas and can order a lipase test to confirm the diagnosis.

How Is a Lipase Test Conducted?

A lipase blood test is very easy to do. A physician will insert a needle into one of your veins, most likely in your arm, to collect a blood sample, which will then be transported to a laboratory for analysis to quantify the amount of lipase in your blood.

There is usually no special preparation required before taking the test, but a doctor may ask you to fast for a few hours if needed.

The procedure takes just a few minutes, and results are usually available anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending upon the facility, the health care facility.

Understanding Lipase Levels

Normal and Abnormal Lipase Levels

Normal values are 0-160 units per liter (U/L). Range values may vary slightly depending on the lab performing the test.

A lipase test is a good marker of pancreatic health because even elevated levels may point toward a problem in the pancreas.

Elevated Lipase Levels

High levels of lipase in the blood most often are seen with acute pancreatitis. When the pancreas inflames, massive amounts of the enzyme lipase leak into the bloodstream.

This overflows into the blood the lipase level in the blood. If you have acute pancreatitis, your lipase test results will more than likely show quite a bit higher levels than normal.

Other conditions that may result in high levels of lipase include:

- Chronic pancreatitis: Although chronic pancreatitis causes chronic inflammation of the pancreas, it may also cause elevated levels of lipase, though such elevations are usually not as high as those found in acute cases.

- Pancreatic cancer: Tumors of the pancreas can also cause an increase in the levels of lipase due to blockage or damage to the pancreatic ducts.

- Gallbladder disease: Gallstones or other conditions may also lead to high blood lipase levels because it results in obstruction affecting the pancreas.

Low Lipase Levels

Although this is less common, low levels of lipase can indicate a problem with the pancreas concerning enzyme production.

In the advanced stages of chronic pancreatitis, the scarring is so extreme that the pancreas can no longer secrete sufficient amounts of digestive enzymes.

A low lipase level may cause maldigestion of fats and other nutrients with manifestations of weight loss, diarrhea, and malnutrition.

Lipase and Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is the acute severe inflammation of the pancreas. It appears as one having increased levels of enzymes pancreatic in the blood, like lipase.

Acute pancreatitis is a medical emergency that requires proper and prompt management to avoid complications such as infection, organ failure, or chronic problems.

While in an acute case of pancreatitis, blood lipase levels can shoot through the roof within hours after the onset, a blood test for lipase is considered crucial.

Lipase tests help doctors confirm the condition and can monitor the severity level involved.

Lipase and Chronic Pancreatitis

While acute pancreatitis results from sudden inflammation and damage to the pancreas, chronic pancreatitis is characterized by prolonged inflammation and destruction of the organ.

While the increase in levels of lipase is not as extreme compared to the case of acute pancreatitis, tests for lipase can still be useful in the diagnosis of chronic conditions.

Chronic pancreatitis may lead to scarring and loss of pancreatic functions after some time and lower the production of enzymes such as lipase.

Patients with chronic pancreatitis are usually characterized by abdominal pain, digestive dysfunction, and weight loss.

Measurement of lipase levels can be used to monitor the disease process and document treatment response.

What Does High Lipase Levels Mean?

Elevated lipase levels in the blood suggest several conditions, which are mostly associated with the pancreas.

The most common cause of high lipase levels is acute pancreatitis, although other illnesses also can result in high levels obtained on lipase tests, including the following;

- Pancreatic cancer

- Gallstones or gallbladder disease

- Cystic fibrosis

- Kidney disease

- Peptic ulcers

The results will be explained to doctors by physicians along with the patient's other tests and clinical symptoms that will diagnose a patient's cause of having high lipase levels.

How Are Lipase Levels Treated?

Treatment for abnormal lipase levels involves treating the cause of the abnormal levels.

A good example is when a patient has acute pancreatitis, and treatment will be directed toward the management of the inflammation and complications resulting from the disease.

Hospitalization, fasting to let the pancreas rest, intravenous fluids, and pain management are some of them.

Chronic pancreatitis may involve nutritional changes, supplemental digestive enzymes to help with digestion, and pain relief medications. When lipase levels are high with an obstructing problem, such as gallstones or pancreatic tumors, surgery may be required to remove the obstructions or tumors.

What to Expect from a Lipase Test

When you test for lipase, you would be expecting to know how your pancreas is doing.

If your lipase levels are within normal, it could mean that your pancreas is doing well.

However, if the levels of lipase in blood are high, then there must be something wrong with the pancreas: either it is inflamed or clogged.

The results from the lipase test are integrated with findings from other diagnostic tests, such as imaging studies or further blood work, for your doctor to pursue the proper treatment plan.

Lipase tests have been particularly useful in the diagnosis of both acute and chronic pancreatic conditions, as well as in monitoring improvements and the effectiveness of treatments.

Conclusion

Lipase is an enzyme that aids in the breakdown of the dietary fats mainly produced by the pancreas.

Monitoring through a lipase blood test will aid a doctor in diagnosis, of conditions, such as acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis and also pancreatic disorders. High lipase levels are implicated with a condition like acute pancreatitis where digestive fluids are leaked into the stomach causing inflammation.

* * Medical Disclaimer - The following information is for educational purposes only. No information provided on this website, including text, graphic, and images, are intended as substitutes for professional medical advice. Please consult with your doctor about specific medical advice pertaining to your condition(s).