preliminary
Lipase is an enzyme used to break down fats into fatty acids more simple so that the body can absorb.
Produced by the pancreas, a high lipase levels usually indicate a problem with the pancreas.
However, increased levels of lipase could also be indicative of the occurrence of other disorders in the body.
Here are some of the factors that lead to increased levels of lipase in the blood:
1. pancreatitis
The most common reason why a person at increased lipase is due to pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas.
In acute pancreatitis, within the first 48 hours lipase levels can increase up to three times or more than normal levels.
During inflammation of pancreatitis, pancreatic tissue to become more permeable. This causes the enzyme lipase seeping out of the pancreas and dissolved in the bloodstream.
2. Pancreatic Channel Blockage
Increased lipase may occur due to blockage of the pancreatic duct. Pancreatic duct obstruction occurs because the stones, edema, or tumor.
The channels are clogged resulting in increased pressure forcing pancreatic lipase flow out. This in turn increases the blood levels of the enzyme lipase.
3. Drugs
Certain drugs can also lead to increased levels of lipase. Before taking the test lipase, patients should tell their doctor if taking the following medications: codeine, morphine, methacholine, indomethacin, cholinergics, meperidine, or bethanechol.
Each of these drugs will lead to increased lipase in the blood test readings.
4. Others
When lipase levels increased less than five times normal levels, disease or disorder outside the pancreas may be the cause.
In this case, high lipase test results could be a sign of bowel obstruction, kidney failure, or peptic ulcer.
To validate the diagnosis, further testing should be performed in addition to the test lipase.
