Causes for lowered lipase levels
Lowered lipase values have no disease value in most cases. In many people, the lipase level can drop significantly between meals without any disease or disorder of pancreatic function. Only in rare cases is there an actual disease behind a lowered lipase level. This can be a reduced functioning pancreas after a chronic inflammation. The rare, chronic disease “cystic fibrosis” also leads to functional disorders of the pancreas, which can manifest itself in a reduced lipase level.
Consequences of a lipase disorder
A change in the lipase value alone does not necessarily have to be accompanied by symptoms. However, if pancreatitis is present, this can have serious consequences. An acutely inflamed pancreas can uncontrollably release digestive secretions and, in the worst case, digest itself.
This leads to a life-threatening, septic clinical picture with severe pain and further complaints. A functional impairment of the pancreas can also have serious consequences for digestion and the body’s sugar balance, since the pancreas is also responsible for the secretion of insulin.Due to the lack of lipase in the digestive juice, fatty foods can be digested more poorly, resulting in high-volume diarrhea and fatty stools. Food is less easily absorbed by the body, which can also lead to a lack of nutrients despite sufficient food intake.
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