Lipase, Serum

Testing your serum lipase level helps identify potential problems with your pancreas, which can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. This test is important because high lipase levels often indicate pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas that needs prompt medical attention. Identifying the cause of these symptoms early can lead to more effective treatment.

Finding the cause(s) of:

• Abdominal pain: Elevated lipase levels can indicate pancreatitis, a common cause of severe abdominal pain.
• Diarrhea: Pancreatic issues detected by lipase testing can sometimes lead to digestive problems like diarrhea.
• Fever: Inflammation of the pancreas, indicated by high lipase, can cause a fever.
• Loss of appetite: Conditions causing elevated lipase, such as pancreatitis, often result in a loss of appetite.
• Nausea: Pancreatic inflammation or dysfunction indicated by lipase levels frequently causes nausea.
• Vomiting: High lipase levels often signal pancreatitis, which commonly causes vomiting.