Lipase Test
Reviewed
Also called: serum lipase, lipase, LPS
A lipase test measures the level of lipase in your blood. Lipase helps your body digest fats. It's a type of digestive enzyme.
Specimen: blood
Why this test may be ordered
- To help diagnose diseases of the pancreas, especially acute (sudden) pancreatitis.
- To check if treatment for pancreatic diseases is working.
- To help diagnose and monitor chronic diseases that affect the pancreas, such as cystic fibrosis, Crohn's disease, and celiac disease.
- To help diagnose injury or blockage of the intestines.
- To help diagnose peritonitis (inflammation of the lining of the abdominal wall).
Preparation and collection
You may need to fast (not eat or drink) for 8-12 hours before a lipase blood test. Certain medicines and supplements can affect your test results. Your provider will let you know if you need to stop taking any medicines before your test. But don't stop taking any medicines unless your provider tells you to.
Lipase is measured with a blood test. During a blood test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle.
There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
Understanding results
It's normal to have a small amount of lipase in your blood. But if the cells of your pancreas are damaged, they will release larger amounts of lipase.
- Very high lipase: A very high level of lipase is usually a sign of acute pancreatitis. Limitation: Acute pancreatitis is a sudden, short-term condition that can usually be cured with treatment. Next step: If you have questions about your lipase test results, talk with your health care provider.
- Higher than normal lipase: Higher than normal levels of lipase may be caused by: Diseases of the pancreas, including a blocked duct (tube), or pancreatic cancer, Chronic kidney disease, Peptic ulcer, Gallbladder disease. Limitation: Many medicines, including codeine, diuretics ("water pills"), certain cholesterol medicines, and birth control pills can affect your lipase levels. Next step: If you have questions about your lipase test results, talk with your health care provider.
- Low lipase: Low levels of lipase may be a sign of permanent damage to cells in your pancreas that make lipase. This may happen in certain chronic (long-lasting) diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis. Limitation: If your lipase levels are not normal, it doesn't always mean you have a medical condition that needs treatment. Next step: If you have questions about your lipase test results, talk with your health care provider.
- Many medicines, including codeine, diuretics, certain cholesterol medicines, and birth control pills, can affect lipase levels.
- Abnormal levels do not always mean a medical condition that needs treatment.
What to do next
If you have questions about your lipase test results, talk with your health care provider.
- What do my lipase test results mean for my health?
- Do I need any follow-up tests based on these results?
- Can my current medications affect my lipase level?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.