Have you suddenly had a severe stomach ache, and at the same time, you started to feel nauseous and vomit? Many people think that this is a normal stomach ache, gastritis, but sometimes this can be a problem with the pancreas, which is a very important organ in our body. So when you go to see a doctor at a time like this, there is a high chance that he will ask you to do a blood test. That is the test we are going to talk about today.
First, let's see, what is this pancreas?
Before we talk about this blood test, let's understand a little about what the pancreas is. Simply put, the pancreas is a small but very important organ located inside our abdomen, behind the stomach. It has two main functions.
1. Aiding in digestion: The pancreas produces special chemicals, called enzymes, that help digest the food we eat, especially fats and carbohydrates (starches), and releases them into our intestines after we eat.
2. Controlling blood sugar levels: This is the body that produces the very important hormone called insulin, which controls our blood sugar levels.
So you can see, even though it's a small organ, how much work it does inside our body.
So what is this blood test that checks for the pancreas?
This is a very simple thing. It checks to see if your pancreas is healthy and working properly. We talked earlier about the pancreas producing enzymes that help digest food. Normally, these enzymes should be present in our digestive system.
But if there is any damage, infection, or inflammation to the pancreas, these enzymes leak out and enter our blood. So this blood test measures how much of these enzymes are in our blood. We are mainly focusing on two types of enzymes here.
| Enzyme Type | Function in the Body |
|---|---|
| Amylase | It helps digest the carbohydrates we eat (e.g. starchy foods like rice, bread, and potatoes). |
| Lipase | It helps digest the fats (oils, fatty foods) we eat. |
What time do you want to take this test?
Now you might be thinking, 'Okay, so what kind of problem would a doctor order this test for?' Usually, if you have symptoms of acute pancreatitis, which is what we medically call acute pancreatitis , your doctor will recommend this test. This test is very important to confirm or rule out the presence of this condition.
What are the symptoms of pancreatitis?
If you have these symptoms, be careful.
- Severe stomach pain: Especially starting in the upper abdomen, sometimes the pain feels like it travels to the back.
- Nausea and vomiting: Persistent vomiting is also a major symptom.
- Anorexia: Losing all desire to eat.
- Fever: Body temperature rises.
- Back pain.
If you have symptoms like these, it's very important to see a doctor as soon as possible, rather than just staying home and thinking it's normal.
How is this blood test done? Do I need to prepare?
This is nothing new to you. It's just like a regular blood test. There's nothing to be too worried about or to be particularly prepared for.
A small blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm. So if you wear a short-sleeved shirt or loose clothing, it will be easier for you and the person taking the blood. Then, the blood sample is cleaned from your arm, a rubber band is placed around the upper arm and tightened, and a small needle is used to draw a small amount of blood into a small bottle. This process takes about a minute or two.
After the blood is drawn, your arm may feel a little sore or a small blue spot may appear. This is normal. Serious side effects (such as bruising or heavy bleeding) are very rare. The blood sample is sent to a lab for testing.
The normal values and meaning of changes in this test
When the blood test report comes back, the doctor will explain the values to you. But for your information, here are the normal values.
| Enzyme | The average value of a healthy person |
|---|---|
| Amylase | 23 to 85 units per liter (U/L). (In some labs this can be up to 140 U/L). |
| Lipase | From 0 to 160 units per liter (U/L). |
Important: These values may vary slightly from one lab to another, so it is best to compare them to the 'Normal Range' on your report.
What if the values in the report have increased?
If your blood amylase and lipase levels are higher than normal, especially more than three times normal , it is a strong indication that you have pancreatitis or other damage to your pancreas.
- An elevated lipase level is more specific to a pancreatic problem than an elevated amylase level, as the enzyme amylase can sometimes be slightly elevated for other reasons.
- The severity of the disease cannot be determined by the fact that the values in this blood test were elevated. The doctor will make a decision based on your symptoms, medical history, and this report.
- Sometimes, your doctor may recommend further tests to confirm the diagnosis. For example:
- Ultrasound scan
- CT scan
- M. R. I. Scan (MRI scan)
- Endoscopy examination
When should I see a doctor?
If you have severe stomach pain like the one mentioned in this article, see your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital emergency room (ETU) . Don't delay. The doctor will ask about your symptoms, examine you, and if necessary, perform these blood tests and other tests to decide what treatment you need.
Take-Home Message
- A pancreas blood test mainly checks the levels of enzymes called amylase and lipase in the blood.
- Severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting can be the main symptoms indicating a problem with the pancreas.
- If the levels of these enzymes in the blood, especially the lipase level, are three times higher than normal, there is a high chance that it is a case of acute pancreatitis.
- Never ignore serious symptoms. See your doctor immediately. He or she will explain exactly what the report means and what to do next.
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