Amylase and Lipase
Definition
- Amylase, an enzyme that helps digest carbohydrates
- Lipase, a digestive enzyme that helps digest fats. Most comes from the pancreas; small amounts from the salivary glands and stomach
Purpose
Diagnosis of pancreatic diseases, especially acute pancreatitis; monitoring of chronic pancreatic diseases; evaluation of salivary gland disorders.
Results
| High | Low | |
|---|---|---|
| Amylase | Acute pancreatitis, pancreatic duct obstruction, pancreatic tumor | Rare; chronic pancreatitis, kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, liver disease, preeclampsia |
| Lipase | Very high is usually acute pancreatitis. Also pancreatic diseases, blocked ducts, pancreatic cancer, kidney/gallbladder disease, bowel obstruction, diabetes, salivary gland disorders, alcohol use disorder | Permanent damage to pancreatic cells due to chronic diseases such as cystic fibrosis |
Normal Values
Laboratory specific.
Risks and Limitations
An important distinction:
Lipase tests are considered more accurate in diagnosing pancreatitis, especially when the pancreatitis is due to alcohol use disorder.
In addition, changes in blood amylase appear before those in urine amylase; for this reason the urine test may be done after the blood test.