Lipase Levels: What Your Test Results Mean

A lipase test measures the amount of lipase in a blood sample⁴. Lipase is an enzyme that helps the body digest fat⁴. The pancreas makes most of the body’s lipase^4,6.

Clinicians often order this test when symptoms suggest a problem with the pancreas^4,6. The test is commonly used to help diagnose acute pancreatitis^1,4. Acute pancreatitis is sudden inflammation of the pancreas⁴.

An abnormal result does not prove that one specific condition is present. Pancreatic disease, kidney disease, digestive problems, and medicines can affect lipase levels^3,4.

This guide covers lipase levels, what they mean, and understanding your results. It explains the normal lipase range, high lipase levels, and low lipase levels. It also describes test preparation and signs that need medical care.

Lipases are enzymes that break triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol. Triglycerides are a type of fat.

Pancreatic lipase travels to the small intestine during digestion⁶. There, it helps break down fats from food^2,6. Lipase also helps with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

The pancreas makes most of the body’s lipase^4,6. The stomach and salivary glands make smaller amounts^4,6. Small amounts of lipase are normally present in the blood⁴.

Pancreatic cell damage can release more lipase into the blood⁴. This is why a blood lipase test may help assess pancreatic disease^1,4.

Other forms of lipase work in the liver, fat cells, and blood vessels. These forms have different roles in fat transport and metabolism. However, pancreatic lipase is the main focus of a serum lipase test^1,4.

A provider may order lipase testing to help diagnose acute pancreatitis^1,4. Lipase testing may also help assess other diseases of the pancreas⁴.

The test has several possible uses:

A lipase result cannot identify the cause by itself. Providers consider the result with symptoms and other findings^3,4.

A provider may order the test when symptoms suggest a pancreatic problem⁴. Upper abdominal pain is the main symptom of acute and chronic pancreatitis⁵. The pain may spread to the back⁵.

Symptoms that may lead to testing include:

Acute pancreatitis pain may start slowly or suddenly⁵. It may be mild or severe and can last for several days⁵. Other symptoms may include fever, vomiting, and a tender abdomen⁵.

Symptoms alone cannot confirm acute pancreatitis. A medical evaluation is needed to find the cause.

Start with the reference range printed on the laboratory report. Laboratories may use different test methods and normal limits¹. Your report’s range is the best comparison for your result.

A general normal lipase range may be 0 to 160 units per liter^1,6. Units per liter may appear as U/L on the report. Some laboratories may use microkatals per liter instead¹.

The exact normal lipase range can differ between laboratories¹. Age, sex, and health status may also affect how a result is viewed⁶. For these reasons, avoid comparing results from different laboratories without guidance.

A report may show an upper limit of normal. This is the highest value within that laboratory’s stated range. Providers use this limit when judging how far a result is raised.

For example, the phrase “three times the upper limit” refers to the laboratory’s own cutoff. It does not refer to one universal lipase number.

A result within the listed range is not flagged as high or low by that laboratory. However, one result does not provide a full picture of pancreatic health.

Lipase may or may not be raised in chronic pancreatitis. In acute pancreatitis, serum lipase is almost always raised. Providers still interpret the result with symptoms and other evidence.

Medicines can affect lipase results^1,4. Kidney function can also matter because reduced clearance may raise blood lipase³. Health status and other test findings add more context⁶.

A normal result should not be read in isolation. Ask the ordering provider how it fits with the reason for testing.

An abnormal lipase result does not always mean that treatment is needed⁴. Many medicines and health conditions can affect the result^3,4.

A high result may come from the pancreas or another organ^3,4. A low result may occur with long-term pancreatic disease^4,6. Neither result confirms a diagnosis by itself.

These questions may help when discussing the report:

The answers depend on the person’s symptoms, history, and other findings.

A very high lipase level is often linked with acute pancreatitis⁴. A level three or more times above the top of the normal range may signal acute pancreatitis⁶. It may also occur with another pancreatic disorder⁶.

Acute pancreatitis is assessed using three main features. These are typical abdominal pain, raised pancreatic enzymes, and findings on imaging^2,3. Diagnosis commonly requires at least two of these three features^2,3.

For the enzyme feature, clinicians use a level three or more times the upper limit of normal³. Imaging may include a CT or MRI scan^2,3. The pain often occurs in the upper abdomen and may spread to the back^2,5.

A high lipase result can support the diagnosis. It cannot establish acute pancreatitis on its own. Significant increases can occur without pancreatitis³.

Lipase is often advocated as the preferred blood test for pancreatitis, with a cutoff of three times the upper limit of normal often cited³. Lipase can also remain raised later in the course of the illness³. Still, providers must consider other possible causes.

High lipase levels can occur with pancreatic conditions other than acute pancreatitis. These conditions include blocked ducts, cysts, and cancer^1,4,6.

Reported pancreatic causes include:

A pseudocyst can occur as a complication of acute pancreatitis. Its wall is made from healing tissue rather than a true tissue lining.

A lipase result cannot tell these conditions apart. Further evaluation may be needed to identify the cause.

High lipase does not always come from pancreatitis. A review found several causes of levels above three times the upper limit without pancreatitis³.

Kidney problems can reduce the clearance of lipase from the blood³. Chronic kidney disease and kidney failure are linked with high lipase^4,6.

Other reported causes or links include:

Salivary gland inflammation may also raise lipase^1,6. Alcohol use disorder is another reported association^4,6.

These causes show why high lipase levels require context. This is especially important when the usual symptoms of pancreatitis are absent³.

Low lipase levels are less often discussed than high levels. A low result may be linked with lasting damage to pancreatic cells that make lipase⁴.

Long-term pancreatic disease can damage these cells⁴. The pancreas may then release less lipase⁹.

A single low result cannot identify the cause. The laboratory range and the person’s symptoms still matter.

Low lipase may occur with chronic pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis^4,6. Chronic pancreatitis is a long-lasting condition that worsens over time⁴. Cystic fibrosis can also cause lasting damage to pancreatic cells⁴.

A low result alone does not confirm either condition. Providers look for related symptoms and other test findings.

Symptoms linked with chronic pancreatitis may include:

Chronic pancreatitis may not cause symptoms until complications occur⁵. This makes the full medical history important.

Low lipase levels close to zero may be linked with damaged pancreatic cells⁷. This can occur in chronic pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis⁷.

The result should be compared with the laboratory’s reference range. A provider may also review symptoms and earlier test results.

Ask for medical guidance when a low result occurs with ongoing digestive symptoms. Greasy stools, diarrhea, upper abdominal pain, or weight loss are symptoms reported with chronic pancreatitis⁵.

An abnormal lipase value is a test finding. Care depends on the condition causing that finding.

A healthcare professional takes a blood sample from a vein^1,4. The blood draw often takes less than five minutes⁴. Mild pain or bruising can occur at the needle site⁴.

A provider may ask for fasting before the test. MedlinePlus advises not eating for eight hours before testing¹. Other guidance gives a fasting period of 8 to 12 hours^4,6.

Follow the instructions from the laboratory or ordering provider. Ask whether water is allowed during the fasting period.

Several medicines may affect lipase results. Examples include:

Tell the provider about prescription drugs and nonprescription products⁶. Also mention herbs and supplements⁶. Do not stop taking medicine unless the provider gives that instruction^4,6.

An abnormal result does not always mean that a condition needs treatment⁴. The next step depends on the suspected cause.

The provider may review symptoms and medicines. Other pancreatic blood tests, such as amylase, may be considered with lipase⁶. CT or MRI findings may help assess possible acute pancreatitis^2,3.

A lipase test may also be used to check how treatment for pancreatic disease is working⁴. Follow-up testing depends on the clinical situation.

Useful questions for the follow-up visit include:

People with acute pancreatitis often feel very ill and need to see a doctor right away⁵. Its pain can be mild or severe⁵. Do not rely only on pain strength when deciding to seek care.

If upper abdominal pain starts and may spread to the back, seek medical evaluation. This is especially important when pain occurs with nausea, vomiting, fever, or abdominal swelling⁵.

Seek care right away in the following situations:

These symptoms may point to serious infection or inflammation⁵. They may also occur with a blocked pancreas, gallbladder, or related duct⁵. These problems can be fatal without treatment⁵.

Gallstones and heavy alcohol use are common causes of acute and chronic pancreatitis⁵. Genetic disorders of the pancreas and some medicines can also cause it⁵.

Other reported causes include infections and genetic disorders of the pancreas⁵. Pancreatic cancer and a procedure called ERCP are also listed causes⁵. ERCP is a procedure used to treat certain bile duct and pancreatic duct problems.

Gallstones are the most common cause of acute pancreatitis⁵. They can become stuck in a bile or pancreatic duct and cause inflammation⁵.

Common causes of chronic pancreatitis include heavy alcohol use and genetic disorders⁵. Other causes include a blocked pancreatic duct, high blood fat, and high blood calcium⁵. In some cases, clinicians cannot find a cause⁵.

Knowing the cause of pancreatitis can guide medical care. A lipase result alone cannot identify that cause.

To understand what a lipase result means, begin with the reference range on your laboratory report. A general normal lipase range may be 0 to 160 U/L^1,6. However, ranges and test methods differ between laboratories¹.

High lipase levels can support a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. A value three or more times the upper limit is an important finding^3,6. However, pancreatitis diagnosis also depends on symptoms or imaging findings^2,3.

Kidney disease, gallbladder disease, bowel problems, ulcers, diabetes, infections, medicines, and cancer may also raise lipase^3,4. Low lipase levels may occur with chronic pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis^4,6.

Discuss abnormal results with a healthcare professional. If upper abdominal pain occurs, seek medical evaluation. If severe or worsening symptoms occur, seek care right away⁵.