Blood and lab tests
What Does Lipase Mean on a Blood Test?
Lipase · say it: LYE-paysAlso written: serum lipase, pancreatic lipase
Short answer
Lipase is an enzyme from the pancreas that helps digest fat. Doctors measure it in blood when checking for pancreatitis.
What it means
Lipase is an enzyme that breaks down fats from food so the gut can absorb them. Most of it is made by the pancreas, an organ behind the stomach, and released into the small intestine. A small amount is normally found in the blood.
Lipase is the main blood test doctors use when they suspect pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas. It rises soon after the pancreas is irritated and stays up for several days, which is why many labs prefer it to amylase. Because pancreatitis is usually assessed in hospital, a very high result is often phoned through to the doctor rather than waiting for the printed report.
Lipase in the blood is different from amylase, another pancreatic enzyme, and from lipoproteins, which are the cholesterol particles measured on a lipid panel.
Where you may see it
- Emergency department blood tests for upper belly pain
- Hospital chemistry panels beside amylase
- Follow-up blood work after an episode of pancreatitis
📄 How it looks on a report
Lipase 1250 U/L H (result phoned to ward)
🙅 What it does not mean
- A raised lipase does not always mean pancreatitis. Kidney disease, some bowel problems, certain medicines and other conditions can also raise it.
- A higher number does not mean a worse attack. The level reflects irritation of the pancreas, not how ill someone is.
- Lipase on a blood test is not a measure of fat or cholesterol in the blood. Those are checked on a lipid panel.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
🧾 Reports where you will see “Lipase”
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💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Lipase”
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- Lamivudine
An antiviral medicine of the nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor type, used here for hepatitis B
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Lipase” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- MedlinePlus lab test guides ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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