A doctor may recommend a lipase blood test if a person has signs or symptoms of a pancreatic disorder. Lipase is an enzyme that may be high in people with pancreatitis, gallstones, and other conditions.

The pancreas produces lipase during digestion. This enzyme helps the intestines break down fats. Inflammation or injury to the pancreas can cause lipase to diffuse into the bloodstream.

A lipase test, also known as a serum lipase test, can show whether levels of lipase are high. High levels may indicate a problem with the pancreas or another condition.

The doctor may also check levels of another enzyme called amylase at the same time as the lipase test. This can provide more information that will help with diagnosing a disorder of the pancreas.

This article takes a close look at the uses, procedures, results, and ranges of a lipase test. Read on to learn how to lower elevated levels of lipase.

A doctor will usually order a lipase test if a person shows signs of a pancreatic disorder.

Some symptoms include:

  • fever
  • fatty stools
  • nausea with or without vomiting
  • intense pain in the upper stomach
  • a rapid pulse
  • weight loss
  • a lack of appetite
  • back pain

The doctor may order an amylase test alongside the lipase test. Results of an amylase test can show whether a person has a pancreatic disease.

Following diagnosis, the doctor can use lipase and amylase tests to monitor treatment of the condition.

A lipase test is like any other simple blood test.

A technician will first tie a band around the person’s arm so blood pools in their vein. The technician will then select a vein, clean the area, and draw blood with a small needle.

The technician then sends the blood sample to a laboratory, where the lipase levels are measured and analyzed.

Results times vary, depending on the facilities. Ask the doctor to estimate when they expect to receive the results. The doctor will arrange to review the results with the person.

Preparation for a lipase test is minimal. As with any medical test, follow the advice and instructions of doctors and technicians.

The doctor usually asks a person to stop eating for a specified amount of time, typically between 8 and 12 hours, before the blood test.

A person taking any medications or supplements should tell the doctor about them in advance because some substances can interfere with lipase test results. The doctor may also advise against taking certain medications before the test.

Typical ranges for results vary, depending on the following factors:

  • sex
  • age
  • health history
  • method of testing

Because of the variance, it is important to discuss the results with a doctor. The same result may indicate a problem in one person and not in another.

When the laboratory returns the test results, lipase levels are usually given in units per liter (U/L) of blood.

Typical ranges can vary between lab facilities. In some facilities, the reference lipase range for adults under age 60 is 10–140 U/L. For adults over 60, the normal range is 24–151 U/L. If a person’s lipase levels are very high, often 3–10 times the reference value, this can indicate acute pancreatitis.

The American Association for Clinical Chemistry states that a pancreatic attack causes levels of lipase in the blood to rise within 3–6 hours. These levels may stay elevated for up to 2 weeks.

High levels of lipase can also indicate other problems, with the kidneys or bowel, for example.

Unusually high or low lipase levels can signal different issues.

Significantly low lipase levels can reveal permanent damage to the pancreatic cells that produce lipase. This can result from long-term disorders, such as chronic pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis.

Elevated lipase levels can indicate a number of conditions, such as:

Certain conditions may lead to high lipase levels, including:

  • pancreatitis, or swelling of the pancreas, which may be chronic or acute
  • pancreatic duct obstruction
  • bowel obstruction
  • peptic ulcer disease
  • gallbladder inflammation
  • kidney disease
  • celiac disease
  • salivary gland inflammation
  • pancreatic cancer

Some medications may also lead to increased lipase levels. This includes:

  • codeine
  • indomethacin
  • morphine
  • some birth control pills
  • thiazide diuretics
  • cholinergic drugs

After a doctor diagnoses and treats the cause of elevated lipase levels, the levels will reduce.

Acute pancreatitis is one of the most common issues associated with high levels of lipase in the blood. When a doctor detects the condition at an early stage, treatments can include:

  • intravenous fluids
  • medications to control the pain
  • not eating for a recommended period, then starting a bland diet

A doctor will also treat any underlying issues responsible for pancreatitis, such as gallstones or elevated calcium levels. Some medications can cause acute pancreatitis. In this case, the doctor will change the type or dosage.

A person may be able to reduce their risk of developing acute pancreatitis by eating a healthful diet and avoiding excessive consumption of alcohol.

Whether acute pancreatitis or another underlying condition is responsible for elevated levels of lipase in the blood, receiving treatment should cause levels to return to a typical range.

The lipase test is relatively noninvasive and unlikely to cause any complications.

Test results can help a doctor diagnose acute pancreatitis and other health issues affecting the pancreas.

Detecting and treating acute pancreatitis at an early stage can prevent the condition from becoming severe.