Return to list of Blood Test Abnormalities. Note: We strongly encourage you to talk with your health care professional about your specific medical condition and treatments. The information contained in this website is meant to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute for medical advice. For information about the 4th Angel Mentoring Program visit www. Amylase or lipase results more than three times normal levels are likely to mean pancreatitis or damage to your pancreas.
However, in rare cases, there can be significant damage to the pancreas without abnormal amylase or lipase levels. In these cases, abdominal pain is the most common symptom. Early in the course of damage to the pancreas, amylase or lipase levels may be also be normal.
There are many reasons why someone might have abnormal levels of amylase in their blood. These include:. Lower than normal levels of amylase may indicate severe injury to the pancreas, high triglycerides , prediabetes, or diabetes. There are some medications that can increase the amount of amylase in your blood without any illness present :. Drugs that may affect the levels of lipase in your bloodstream are the same ones known to affect the levels of amylase. Acute pancreatitis is rare during pregnancy.
However, it can lead to problems with your baby if it does occur. You may want to wear a loose fitting or short-sleeved shirt so your doctor can easily access a vein in your arm. There are many reasons why you might be experiencing abdominal pain or other symptoms. Amylase and lipase tests are just pieces of the puzzle. An amylase or lipase test requires a health professional to take a small amount of blood from your vein.
Usually the test is administered as follows:. A small amount of pain and bruising is possible at the site of insertion. Excessive bleeding, fainting, lightheadedness, and infection are rare but possible.
Since high amylase levels may be associated with decreased kidney function, your doctor may order other blood tests or a urine amylase test. When levels of lipase and amylase are higher than normal it may indicate pancreatic injury or another disease.
Most studies show that levels of greater than three times the upper limit of normal usually lead to a diagnosis of pancreatitis, according to guidelines from the American College of Gastroenterology ACG. Your provider can use this test to see how well your treatment is working. You may also need other blood tests. These include one to check your levels of amylase, another digestive enzyme that rises if you have pancreatitis.
You may also have an abdominal ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI, or a special MRI called a magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography MRCP of your pancreas and bile ducts to look for gallstones or other abnormalities that sometimes occur with acute pancreatitis. Test results may vary depending on your age, gender, health history, the method used for the test, and other things.
Your test results may not mean you have a problem. Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you. Higher than normal levels of lipase mean that you have a problem with your pancreas. If your blood has 3 to 10 times the normal level of lipase, then it's likely that you have acute pancreatitis. High lipase levels also mean you may have kidney failure, cirrhosis, or a bowel problem.
What is a lipase test? Other names: serum lipase, lipase, LPS. What is it used for? A lipase test may be used to: Diagnose pancreatitis or another disease of the pancreas Find out if there is a blockage in your pancreas Check for chronic diseases that affect the pancreas, including cystic fibrosis.
Why do I need a lipase test? You may need a lipase test if you have symptoms of a pancreas disease. These include: Nausea and vomiting Diarrhea Severe back pain Severe abdominal pain Fever Loss of appetite You may also need a lipase test if you certain risk factors for pancreatitis.
These include: A family history of pancreatitis Diabetes Gallstones High triglycerides Obesity You may also be at a higher risk if you are a smoker or heavy alcohol user.
What happens during a lipase test? Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test? Are there any risks to the test? There are no known risks to a urine test. What do the results mean? A high level of lipase may indicate: Pancreatitis A blockage in the pancreas Kidney disease Peptic ulcer A problem with your gall bladder A low level of lipase may mean there is damage to cells in the pancreas that make lipase.
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