Blood values of the pancreas | Function of the pancreas

Blood values of the pancreas

Depending on the suspected disease of the pancreas, different blood values are determined. For example, in the case of an acute inflammation of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis), not only the C-reactive protein (CRP), which is usually elevated in every inflammatory process, is measured, but also the enzymes lipase, elastase and amylase. These digestive enzymes are produced by the exocrine part of the pancreas and therefore serve as good measuring parameters for an inflammation of the organ.

At an alcohol consumption of 50-80 grams per day, the carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) is elevated, so it is considered a good marker for alcoholism. However, this value can also be elevated in primary cheap cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. When the exocrine part of the pancreas is no longer able to produce enough enzymes (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency), the amount of these enzymes in the stool also decreases.

Therefore, if there is any suspicion, the elastase in the stool is determined. If endocrine pancreas function is suspected to be reduced (endocrine pancreatic insufficiency), glucagon and insulin are determined in the blood. As a rule, the same diagnostic procedure is initially used for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Not only insulin is determined, but also blood sugar. A distinction must be made between diabetes mellitus type 1, ultimately an absolute insulin deficiency, and diabetes mellitus type 2, a relative insulin deficiency.

The Pancreas and Diabetes

In the case of diabetes mellitus, a (relative) lack of insulin is responsible for the “hyperglycaemia” of the blood, which is typical of the disease. The somatostatin produced by the D-cells primarily inhibits the production and release of many other hormones, including glucagon and insulin. It also inhibits the secretion of digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas.

Diabetes mellitus type 1 is triggered by antibodies of the immune system against the body’s own insulin-producing cells (so-called autoantibodies). This means that the body’s own immune system destroys these islet cells for unknown reasons, so that the pancreas is unable to produce any or much too little insulin. This type of diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood or young adulthood.

Characteristic symptoms are The other functions of the pancreas are not affected by type 1 diabetes. This means that only the missing insulin is supplied in artificial form for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. So far, there is no therapy for curing this form of diabetes.

The situation is different in type 2 diabetes mellitus, where there is enough insulin, but it can no longer be effective at its target site, the body cells. This is known as insulin resistance because the receptors in question no longer react to their target hormone. Initially, the pancreas reacts by increasing the production of insulin, but at some point, not enough insulin can be produced to control the blood sugar level. In very rare cases, diseases of the exocrine part of the pancreas, which performs digestive functions, can also be the cause of diabetes mellitus. This topic might also be of interest to you: Nutrition in Diabetes

  • Weight Loss
  • Constant thirst
  • Excessive urination
  • Powerlessness and
  • Tiredness

All articles in this series:

  1. Function of the pancreas
  2. Function of the pancreas
  3. Support of the pancreas function
  4. Blood values of the pancreas