Lipase

Japanese: リパーゼ

Reference value

45-50U/ℓ (colorimetric method)

What is Lipase

It is one of the digestive enzymes contained in the pancreas that is secreted into the duodenum and functions to break down fats in food.

This test is used to check for abnormalities in the pancreas in particular. When pancreatic cells are destroyed by drinking too much alcohol, the levels increase in the blood.

High levels in acute pancreatitis

Lipase, like amylase (see above), Pancreas water This is an important test for examining pancreatic diseases. When pancreatic cells are destroyed by pancreatitis, etc., a lot of lipase is released into the blood, causing the level to rise.

This change shows almost the same fluctuation as amylase, but lipase fluctuates more specifically to the pancreas. "Specific" means that it is less affected by other diseases. In acute pancreatitis, lipase levels are several times higher than the normal value, along with severe abdominal pain.

Chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, pancreas Sac brain Although the level also increases in the case of pancreatitis, the increase is only 2-3 times. However, unlike acute pancreatitis, where the increase lasts for 1-2 weeks, the abnormal level continues.

High levels in kidney failure

Lipase in the blood is excreted in urine. Kidneys kidney In cases of renal failure, when renal function is impaired, lipase excretion becomes poor, and even in the absence of pancreatitis, a persistent mild increase in blood levels can be observed.

Mild elevations may also be seen in people with liver disease.

Repeated measurements in severe acute pancreatitis

Serum is used to measure the level using an automatic analyzer. The standard values differ depending on the measurement method. You may eat and drink normally on the day of the test.

In pancreatitis, lipase fluctuates in much the same way as amylase, but it takes 1 to 2 weeks longer than amylase to return to baseline levels, making it an important indicator of recovery from acute pancreatitis.

In severe cases of acute pancreatitis characterized by severe abdominal pain, close monitoring is required and measurements are repeated until normal values are achieved.

When there is abdominal pain and elevated lipase levels, pancreatic disease is suspected and detailed examinations are performed using pancreatic enzymes, abdominal ultrasound (→see reference), abdominal CT (→see reference), and retrograde cholangiopancreatography (→see reference).

Pancreatic disease can be suspected because of abdominal symptoms (abdominal pain), but if there are no abdominal symptoms and lipase is elevated, it is likely due to decreased excretion from the kidneys, and blood tests such as urine test, urea nitrogen (see reference), and creatinine (see reference), Renal pelvis Jinu Contrast (see reference page) may be required.

The main diseases suspected are

◆ High levels → Pancreatic diseases: acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, pancreatic cysts, etc.

Other: Renal failure, liver disorder, etc.

◆ Low value → Chronic pancreatitis (pancreatic function deterioration stage), etc.

The general term used by doctors: "Lipase"

Source: Hoken "4th Edition: A book that explains the tests you will receive at the hospital" Information about the 4th Edition: A book that explains the tests you will receive at the hospital

Japanese:

基準値

45～50U/ℓ（比色法）

リパーゼとは

　膵臓に含まれる消化酵素のひとつで、十二指腸に分泌されて食物中の脂肪を分解する働きをする。

とくに膵臓の異常を調べる検査です。アルコールの飲み過ぎなどで、膵細胞が破壊されると血液中に増加します。

急性膵炎で高値に

　リパーゼも、前項のアミラーゼ（→参照）と同じように、膵すい臓の病気を調べるための重要な検査です。膵炎などで膵細胞が破壊されると、リパーゼは血液の中へたくさん出てきて高値になります。

　この変化は、ほとんどアミラーゼと同じ変動を示しますが、リパーゼのほうがより膵臓に特異的に変動します。「特異的」とは、ほかの病気の影響が少ないということです。急性膵炎では、激しい腹痛とともに、リパーゼの値が基準値の数倍になります。

　慢性膵炎や膵臓がん、膵嚢のう胞でも上昇しますが、その程度は2～3倍にとどまります。しかし、急性膵炎のように1～2週間の上昇ではなくて、異常値が持続することが特徴です。

腎不全でも高値に

　血液中のリパーゼは、尿へ排泄されます。そのため、腎じん臓の働きが低下する腎不全ではリパーゼの排泄が悪くなり、膵炎をおこしていなくても、血液中で持続的な軽度の上昇がみられます。