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Lipase
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This is the date the draft was written, not a medical review date.
A pancreatic enzyme that hydrolyses triglycerides, more specific for pancreatic injury than amylase and staying raised for longer. It is the preferred test for acute pancreatitis.
Reference interval
| Conventional (U/L) | SI (U/L) | |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | < 160 (upper limit) U/L | < 160 (upper limit) U/L |
Specimen: Serum or heparinised plasma · Conventional × 1 = SI
Causes of high values
Acute pancreatitis (typically more than 3 times the upper limit, which supports the diagnosis in the right clinical setting), chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic duct obstruction, biliary colic and cholangitis, bowel obstruction or ischaemia, peptic ulcer perforation, renal failure, some drugs.
Causes of low values
Advanced chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic insufficiency with loss of acinar tissue; low values are otherwise not clinically significant.
Pre-analytical and method notes
Upper limits differ substantially between methods (often about 60 to 160 U/L), so results are best expressed as a multiple of the local upper limit. Lipase remains raised for 8 to 14 days after onset, and the magnitude of elevation does not predict severity. Reference intervals vary by laboratory, method and population; use the interval printed on the report.
References
- Rifai N, Horvath AR, Wittwer CT. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. Elsevier, 6th edition (2018) — Tier 3 (textbook)
- McPherson RA, Pincus MR. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. Elsevier — Tier 3 (textbook)
- Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. Elsevier, 11th edition (2020) — Tier 3 (textbook)
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