Introduction
The term “lipase” describes several enzymes that cause fats to split in chemical reactions. Lipases occur in large numbers in nature and also in the human body and cause different reactions at different sites, organs and cells. The splitting of fats plays an important role in the fat metabolism of the body.
By activating lipase, fats are split into so-called “free fatty acids”, which can then be further broken down and converted into energy. For example, endurance sports or fasting leads to increased activity of the lipase and a breakdown of the fats in the fat cells. In medicine, the lipase is usually referred to as pancreatic lipase. It is part of the digestive secretions of the pancreas, which are secreted in the duodenum into the chyme when food is consumed. The lipase can break down the fats from the food and thus make them digestible so that they can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Standard values
The value of pancreatic lipase is measured in the blood to assess the function of the pancreas and, if the value deviates, to draw conclusions about possible diseases of the organ. Normal lipase values indicate that the pancreas functions normally, although the values may vary considerably depending on the nutritional status. With food intake, more lipase is produced and secreted.
In adults, the lipase value should be between 5-60 U/l. The unit stands for units per liter. The value may vary in different laboratories. As a rule, each laboratory gives its own standard values next to the measured value during the examination. You can also find comprehensive information on our page “Pancreatic enzymes“.
Causes for increased lipase levels
Elevated lipase levels do not always indicate disease. If there are no symptoms and other inconspicuous blood tests, a disease is very unlikely. In these cases, elevated values can indicate that lipase is released without danger during digestion.
Typically in combination with pain in the upper abdomen and back, however, an elevated lipase level can also indicate pancreatic disease. The most common cause is an inflammation of the pancreas, which can be caused by increased alcohol consumption, for example. Inflammation of the pancreas can cause considerable pain and, in the worst case, lead to severe damage and a life-threatening clinical picture.
As a rule, the blood test determines the presence of other enzymes such as amylase, which can further substantiate the suspicion of pancreatic disease. Pancreatic cancer can also be another, but rare reason for an increase in lipases. This is a rare but highly aggressive form of cancer. It leads to malfunctions of the pancreas and thus to deviations of the pancreatic enzymes, as well as of the lipase. Other reasons for elevated lipase levels in the blood may be
- Gallstones,
- Certain drugs,
- Intensive care treatments,
- Medical endoscopic examinations of the small intestine or
- Kidney weakness
All articles in this series:
