Have you ever had an unbearable stomach ache and gone to see a doctor and been asked to do a blood test? Did you see a value called 'Lipase' on that report? You're probably wondering what this is. Don't worry, today we'll talk about this Lipase blood test very simply, as if we were talking to a friend.
Simply put, what is lipase?
Lipase is a special protein in our body. In medicine, we call it an enzyme. It's like a special worker working in a factory. The main job of this enzyme called lipase is to help digest the fats in the foods we eat.
This lipase is produced mostly by an organ in our body called the pancreas . You've probably heard of the pancreas, right? Apart from that, a small amount is also produced by our stomach and salivary glands. When we eat, this lipase travels from the pancreas to our small intestine, where it breaks down fats and makes them available for the body to absorb.
It is normal to have very small amounts of lipase in our blood. However, if something happens to the pancreas, such as damage, infection, or inflammation, more lipase is released into the blood. That is when the lipase level in the blood increases.
Why would a doctor recommend this test?
The main reason a doctor might order this test is if they suspect you have a condition called acute pancreatitis . Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. This can be a serious condition. You may experience the following symptoms:
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Severe abdominal pain | A severe pain that occurs in the upper abdomen, sometimes radiating to the back. |
| Nausea and vomiting | There may be persistent nausea and vomiting. |
| Heart palpitations | Feeling like your heart is beating fast. |
| Increased breathing rate | Breathing is rapid and shallow. |
| Fever | Feeling feverish. |
If the lipase level in the blood is very high along with these symptoms, it will be of great help to the doctor in confirming the condition of ``acute pancreatitis``.
Also, sometimes this lipase test can be done in conjunction with other tests, such as an amylase test, to diagnose other problems, such as pancreatic cysts or pancreatic duct obstruction.
What should I do before the test?
This is very simple. Before taking a blood sample, your doctor will ask you to fast for 8 to 12 hours . It's okay to just drink water.
The most important thing is to tell your doctor about the medications you are taking. Some medications can artificially increase the level of lipase in the blood.
For example:
- Some birth control pills
- Painkillers (e.g. `(codeine)`)
- Diuretics (medicines that remove water from the body)
- Some medications for cholesterol
But remember, never stop taking your medication without your doctor's advice. He or she will tell you what to do.
What happens when you take the test?
This is a very simple procedure that takes less than 5 minutes. A nurse or doctor will clean a vein in your arm, insert a small needle, and draw a small amount of blood into a small vial. You may feel a slight stinging sensation when the needle is inserted. Then a small bandage will be applied to the area. That's it.
After the test, you can go home as usual. Some people feel a little dizzy after having their blood drawn. If that happens, wait a while. This is not a major risk. The area where the needle was inserted may turn slightly blue, but this will go away in two to three days.
What do the values in the report tell us?
Your lipase value will be shown as a number on your report. The "normal range" can vary slightly from lab to lab. But in general, a lipase value between 0 and 160 units per liter (0 to 160 U/L) is considered normal.
However, this value can vary depending on your age, gender, and other health conditions. Therefore, do not jump to conclusions based on the value in the report. Only your doctor can explain it accurately.
What if the lipase value is much higher than normal?
If the value is more than three times the upper limit of normal, it can be a strong sign of acute pancreatitis.
However, there are other reasons why lipase levels may be elevated.
| Other conditions that can cause elevated lipase levels | |
|---|---|
| Blockage of the pancreatic duct | Bowel obstruction |
| Gallstones or gallbladder disease | Kidney disease or kidney failure |
| Peptic ulcer | Diabetic ketoacidosis |
| Celiac disease | Swelling of the salivary glands (sialadenitis) |
| Excessive alcohol use | |
What if the lipase level decreases?
If the lipase level is lower than normal, it may mean that the cells in the pancreas that produce lipase have been damaged and are no longer able to produce enough lipase. This can be seen in long-term medical conditions.
Examples:
- Cystic fibrosis
- Chronic pancreatitis
If the report is abnormal, what happens next?
If your lipase levels are very high and you have symptoms of ``acute pancreatitis'', your doctor will start you on the necessary treatment. Sometimes this condition resolves on its own. It depends on the severity of your symptoms and the cause.
If your symptoms don't exactly match pancreatitis, your doctor may need to do more tests, such as blood tests or scans, before reaching a definitive diagnosis.
The important thing is that you can't make a decision based on just one value in a blood test. Your doctor will take your symptoms, your physical exam, and other test results into account to make an informed decision.
So, don't worry if the value on the report is higher or lower. It's just important information that will help your doctor find the cause of your symptoms.
Take-Home Message
- Lipase is an enzyme produced mainly by the pancreas that helps digest fat.
- This blood test is most often done to check for suspected inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
- If lipase levels are three times or more above normal, it is often a sign of acute pancreatitis.
- However, lipase levels can also be elevated due to other causes, such as kidney disease and gallstones.
- Never try to interpret a blood test report on your own. Always see your doctor for an accurate interpretation.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න