Sometimes you suddenly get a severe stomach ache, right? It's like a knife stabbing you in the stomach. Along with that, you feel nauseous, vomit, and sometimes even get a fever. At times like these, many of us think we have gastritis or food poisoning. But not all stomach aches are gastritis. Maybe this is a problem with the pancreas , an organ in our body that is very important but we don't talk about much. So today, let's talk about a simple but very important blood test to check the condition of this pancreas.
Let's first see, who is this pancreas?
Simply put, the pancreas is a flat gland located inside our abdomen, behind the stomach. Although it is small, its service is not insignificant. It has two main functions.
1. Aiding in digestion: One of its functions is to produce and send to our small intestine several types of enzymes needed to properly digest the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the foods we eat.
2. Hormone production: This is the body that produces very important hormones like insulin, which controls our blood sugar levels.
Now you understand how important this is, right? So if there is any problem with this pancreas, especially something like inflammation, it can affect our entire body.
So what is this pancreas blood test?
This is a very simple test. It's a simple blood test that's taken from a vein in your arm. This test basically looks at the levels of two enzymes in your blood that we talked about earlier, which are produced by the pancreas and help with digestion.
Think of the pancreas as a factory that makes these enzymes. Normally, these enzymes go directly to our intestines. But if something is damaged in the pancreas, or if there is inflammation, it's like a factory wall is broken and the goods are leaking out, and a large amount of these enzymes are released into the blood. That "leak" is what we detect with this blood test.
What symptoms should I have this test for?
Your doctor will order this blood test if they suspect you have acute pancreatitis , a sudden inflammation of the pancreas. These are the common symptoms of this condition.
| Symptom | A little bit about it |
|---|---|
| Severe stomach ache | This is the main symptom. It is a severe, unbearable pain that starts in the upper abdomen and goes like a belt to the back. The pain may seem to ease a little when you bend forward. |
| Nausea and vomiting | You may experience frequent nausea and vomiting. Even after vomiting, the stomach pain does not subside. |
| Fever and chills | There may be a feeling of body heat rising, along with a feeling of shivering. |
| Appetite | You feel like you don't want to eat or drink anything. |
| Heart palpitations | The pulse rate may increase. |
If you have symptoms like these, your doctor will order this blood test to confirm whether or not it is a pancreatic problem.
Let's learn a little about the two enzymes Amylase and Lipase.
The two main enzymes that are tested in this blood test are Amylase and Lipase .
| Enzyme | Main function | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Amylase | It helps digest the carbohydrates (starch) we eat, such as rice and bread. | Amylase levels in the blood increase in cases of pancreatic problems. However, because this enzyme is also produced by our salivary glands, amylase levels can also increase in some other medical conditions. |
| Lipase | It helps us digest fats like oil and butter that we eat. | This is the most specific test because the lipase enzyme is mainly produced by the pancreas. Therefore, if the lipase level in the blood is elevated, it is highly likely that there is a problem with the pancreas. |
Therefore, doctors usually check the levels of both of these enzymes to make an accurate diagnosis.
Preparing for a blood test and how to do the test
This doesn't require much preparation. It's a very simple procedure.
- Preparation: If you can, wear a short-sleeved shirt. This will make it easier for the person taking the blood to find a vein in your arm. No other special preparation is needed.
- How to take blood:
1. First, a rubber band (like a tourniquet) is tied around your arm just above the elbow to tighten the vein.
2. Then clean the area where the vein is with an alcohol swab.
3. Using a very small needle, the required amount of blood is collected from the vein into a small tube.
4. This will take about a minute or two. Then the needle is removed, a piece of cotton is placed in the area, and a plaster is applied.
When you get your blood drawn, you may feel a stinging sensation, like a small ant stinging you. But it only lasts for a few seconds. So there's no reason to be afraid.
After the blood is drawn, you may experience a small bruise on your arm. This usually goes away in a day or two.
How to understand the values in the test report?
After your blood sample is sent to the lab for analysis, you will receive a report. It will list the values of these enzymes. These are the levels that should normally be present in the blood of a healthy person.
| Enzyme | Normal Range |
|---|---|
| Amylase | 23 to 85 units per liter (23 - 85 U/L). In some labs, this can be up to 140 U/L. |
| Lipase | 0 to 160 units per liter (0 - 160 U/L). |
Very important: These values may vary slightly from lab to lab. Therefore, it is important to compare your values with the 'Normal Range' mentioned in your report. However, do not try to interpret the contents of this report yourself. Only your doctor can accurately analyze it, correlate it with your symptoms, and come to an accurate conclusion.
Abnormal results... what if the enzyme levels are elevated?
If your blood Amylase and Lipase levels are more than three times the normal upper limit , it is strong evidence that you have acute pancreatitis.
But the doctor doesn't just make decisions based on the results of this blood test. He examines you, your symptoms, and puts all of this together to come to a conclusion.
Sometimes, further tests may be needed to confirm the diagnosis and determine the exact extent of damage to the pancreas.
- Ultrasound Scan: This can take pictures of the organs inside the abdomen. This can help detect things like gallstones.
- CT Scan: This can take clearer, more detailed pictures of the pancreas and surrounding organs.
- MRI Scan: This helps to obtain clearer images than a CT scan.
- Endoscopy: A procedure in which a small tube with a camera is inserted through the mouth to examine the stomach and small intestine.
Your doctor will decide which of these tests you need.
When should you definitely see a doctor?
This is the most important thing. If you have severe, unbearable stomach pain like the one mentioned above , don't just stay home thinking it's gastritis. Go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
The doctor will listen to your symptoms, examine you, and review the results of this blood test to determine what treatment you need. Starting treatment early can help prevent serious complications.
Take-Home Message
- Severe stomach pain and vomiting are not always gastritis. It can also be a problem with the pancreas.
- The Amylase and Lipase blood test, which is done to check the condition of the pancreas, is a very simple and very important test.
- Lipase enzyme levels are a more specific indicator of pancreatic problems.
- Do not try to interpret the values in the blood test report on your own, always discuss it with your doctor.
- If you have severe, unbearable stomach pain, seek medical advice immediately from a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).
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