Lipase

To determine if a patient has pancreatic (pancreatic) disease. This test measures the amount of lipase in the blood.

Lipase is made by the pancreas (pancreatic) and is transported through the pancreatic duct to the duodenum. Lipase is an enzyme. An enzyme is a protein that can convert one substance into another. In the intestine, lipase helps convert fat from food to make it easier to absorb. Lipase is normally found in small amounts in the blood. When the pancreas is damaged or the pancreatic duct is blocked, the amount of lipase in the blood will increase. The lipase test is also used in the diagnosis and monitoring of other diseases such as:

• cystic fibrosis
• celiac disease (hypersensitivity to gluten)
• Crohn's disease (inflammation(s) in the intestine)