General Information About the Test
Test Process and Preparation
Both are requested in cases of pancreatic diseases. However, while amylase can also rise due to salivary gland or intestinal problems, the margin of error in indicating pancreatic diseases is much lower for the lipase enzyme (it is more specific) because it is almost entirely secreted by the pancreas.
Diseases such as gallstones blocking the pancreatic duct, excessive alcohol consumption, pancreatic cancer, or cystic fibrosis disrupt the structure of the pancreas, causing the lipase enzyme to mix into the blood at high levels.
Because it is an enzyme that plays an active role in the digestion of fats, your doctor will generally ask you to fast for an 8 to 12 hour period before giving blood in order to obtain an accurate result.
The information on this page is for informational purposes only. The results of medical tests must be evaluated by specialist physicians.
