Laboratory Medicine Program

Lipase

Clinical Decription:
Lipase measurements on serum, plasma, ascitic or pleural fluid are used to investigate pancreatic disorders. Following an attack of acute pancreatitis the serum lipase activity may rise by 2 to 10 times the upper reference limit. The increase in serum lipase is not necessarily proportional to the severity of the attack. Lipase levels increase within 4-8 hours post symptoms peaking at 24 hours. They return to baseline in 8-14 days Serum lipase may be used to differentiate acute pancreatic disorders from other acute intra-abdominal disorders such as perforated gastric or duodenal ulcer, intestinal obstruction, mesenteric vascular obstruction and others. There is usually no increase in serum lipase activity in intra-abdominal disorders. Serum lipase may also be used in diagnosing chronic pancreatitis except in the later stage of the disease when due to severe tissue destruction the increase in serum lipase activity is marginal or there is no increase at all. Causes of elevated results: calculus obstruction of pancreatic ducts, carcinoma of the pancreas, acute and chronic renal disease, treatment with opiates.
<br/><em>Tietz NW et al. Lipase in serum - the elusive enzyme: An overview. Clin Chem, 1993;39:746-756.Neumann U et al. New substrates for the optical determination of lipase. EP 207252 (1987) Greenberg et al. (2013) Best practice in General surgery guideline; Management of Acute Pancreatitis. University of Toronto </em>

Method: Methylresorufin; Alinity c

Component Tests Used: n/a

Reference Ranges Used:
<60 U/L

Specimen Type: serum or plasma
Collected In: Lithium heparin
Volume: 3 mL (minimum: 1 mL)

Shipping: room temperature or 4C

Special Instructions: Avoid collection tubes with stoppers lubricated with glycerol.

Testing Schedule(s): on demand.

Turnaround Time: 1 day

For more information, call 416.340.5227 or 1.866.865.5227