What does the Lipase test measure?

Why is Lipase measured?

Serum lipase is the preferred biochemical test for diagnosing acute pancreatitis, being more sensitive and more specific than amylase and remaining elevated for longer, which allows detection in patients who present late. A value above three times the upper limit of normal, together with characteristic abdominal pain, satisfies the biochemical criterion for diagnosis. Importantly, the magnitude of elevation does not correlate with disease severity and has no prognostic value, so lipase is used to establish the diagnosis rather than to grade or monitor the illness.

Reference ranges

Standard reference

Approximately 13–60 U/L (0.22–1.00 µkat/L), assay-dependent; a value greater than three times the upper limit of normal supports acute pancreatitis

Functional medicine optimal

Not applicable — lipase is a diagnostic enzyme marker, and a result within the reference interval is the expected finding; no functional 'optimal' value exists

Units

U/L, µkat/L

Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform. Interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.