- Causes of altered levels in Lipase
- When to take the Lipase exam
- Reference values for Lipase and Amylase
- When to use Lipase supplements
Lipase is a digestive enzyme produced mainly in the pancreas and its function is to break down the fat in the food into smaller molecules, so that they can be absorbed by the intestine. In addition to the pancreas, the mouth and stomach also produce some lipase to facilitate digestion.
The high rate of lipase in the blood is usually treated according to the cause of the problem, as its increased levels indicate the existence of some disease in the digestive system, especially acute pancreatitis. This test is usually done together with the measurement of amylase, as both favor a better diagnosis of the cause of the problem.
Causes of altered levels in Lipase
Elevated levels of lipase can be linked to diseases such as:
- Acute pancreatitis; Celiac disease; Perforated or penetrating peptic ulcer; Pancreatic duct obstruction by stone; Spasm induced by medications such as codeine, morphine, methacholine, cholinergics; Chronic pancreatitis; Pancreatic pseudocyst; Pancreatic cancer; Stomach cancer or stomach perforation; Acute cholecystitis; Small bowel obstruction; Intestinal infarction; Cystic fibrosis; Inflammatory bowel disease; Acute and chronic renal failure; Complication after organ transplantation; Alcoholism; Diabetic ketoacidosis; Intracranial hemorrhage; Lymphoma; Chronic liver disease.
On the other hand, low levels of lipase generally indicate the presence of cystic fibrosis. See all the symptoms of cystic fibrosis.
When to take the Lipase exam
The test to assess lipase values is done when one of the diseases mentioned above is suspected or when there are symptoms such as fever, severe abdominal pain, fat in the stools, weight loss and nausea and vomiting.
In cases of acute pancreatitis, amylase levels are usually 5 to 10 times higher than normal, and already rise 4 to 8 hours after an acute attack of the disease, along with amylase levels. These values usually remain high until 7 to 14 days after the crisis, and higher levels do not indicate the severity of the disease, only its presence. Find out how pancreatitis is treated.
Reference values for Lipase and Amylase
Normal lipase levels are up to 50U / L, and may vary slightly according to the method used in each laboratory, age and health history.
Amylase values are normal up to 125 IU / L for people under 60 years old, and up to 151 IU / L for people over 60 years old. See more about the amylase test.
When to use Lipase supplements
There are supplements with lipase that can be used in cases of chronic indigestion, when the person is unable to process and absorb food well. It is usually used especially in cases of illness
celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease, which are diseases that cause changes in bowel function.
The use of this supplement can help to reduce symptoms such as gas and discomfort after a high-fat meal, and should only be used according to medical prescription.
The lack of lipase and the low absorption of fats can lead to problems such as low weight, deficiency in vitamins A, K, E and D, and a higher frequency of diarrhea.
