Serum Lipase Levels

Imagine if there was no mechanism in our digestive system to deal with fats and triglycerides? Well, undoubtedly we would not have been in a really good condition. But, thankfully, our bodies have been endowed with facilities to tackle our eating habits for the maintenance of good health naturally.

A crucial function is performed by the enzyme lipase, which breaks down the fats in our digestive system along with performing some other functions. The amount of lipase in blood is referred to as serum lipase.

✔ Lipase is a water-soluble, protein enzyme, which plays a major role in the digestion, movement, breaking down, and processing of dietary lipids, i.e., triglycerides, oils, and fats. The ones in our bodies are specifically termed as human lipases.

✔ Human pancreatic lipase (HPL) is the main enzyme, which breaks down dietary fats in the digestive system. Some other related enzymes are hepatic, endothelial, and lipoprotein lipase. All of these are not located in the gut.

✔ Pancreatic lipase is the most important type and plays a key role in maintaining the overall health. It is secreted by the pancreas and breaks down fat molecules through the process of hydrolysis. Later on, it reaches the duodenum through the duct system of pancreas. The amount of this lipase, as observed through a blood test, is the serum lipase level.

☛ A serum lipase test determines the levels of lipase. Primarily, this test is advised for people who are suffering from pancreas problems or are likely to develop it in the near future. This is because lipase is found in the blood only when there is a problem in the functioning of pancreas.

☛ The normal blood lipase level is between 7 - 60 units per level (U/L) for adults. This 'normal' level may vary depending on the age, gender, medical history, particular lab, and a few other factors. Along with these factors, normal levels may get affected by drugs, like morphine, codeine, narcotics, etc. Dialysis can also have an impact on the normal levels and lead to elevated levels.

The level of lipase can increase due to a number of factors.

✔ Drugs, consumed within 8 hours of the test, may result in high levels of lipase. These drugs include codeine, morphine, methacholine, indomethacin, cholinergics, meperidine, or bethanechol.

✔ Anything drastically higher than the normal levels (lipase levels in pancreatitis become 4 to 5 times higher than normal) can be an indicator of pancreatitis (out here, the pancreatic tissues get inflamed, making them more permeable. This in turn allows the lipase to enter the blood stream.), other pancreas problems, and disorders related to the digestive system, specifically liver and gallbladder.

✔ In conjunction with lipase test, amylase test is also employed for the diagnosis of any disorder related to the pancreas. It is also used to confirm if the patient has cholecystitis, pancreatic cancer, stomach ulcer or blockage, and viral gastroenteritis. These ailments are also responsible for the increased levels.

✔ Renal failure, peptic ulcer, and bowel obstruction can also result in abnormal levels.

If the levels are lower than normal, the concerned specialist prescribes lipase supplements to enhance the ability of the body to absorb and digest food. It is also taken to maintain a healthy level of nutrients. Normally, these enzymes are derived from animal sources. However, these can be derived from plant sources as well and are available in capsule and tablet form.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.