Lipase
A fat-digesting enzyme made mainly by the pancreas; the preferred test for pancreatitis.
| Typical reference range | 7–60 U/L |
Ranges vary by laboratory, method, age and sex: always use the range printed on your own report. Why labs differ.
What it measures
Lipase is secreted by the pancreas into the intestine to break down dietary fats. Small amounts normally enter the blood.
Why it matters
Lipase above three times the upper limit, with typical abdominal pain, supports a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. It is more specific than amylase and remains elevated longer.
What a high result can mean
High levels occur with acute pancreatitis, pancreatic duct obstruction, pancreatic cancer, kidney disease, bowel obstruction or inflammation, diabetic ketoacidosis and GLP-1 receptor agonist or DPP-4 inhibitor use (usually mild).
What a low result can mean
Low levels can occur with chronic pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis, reflecting reduced pancreatic tissue.
What affects the result
Mild elevations without symptoms are common and often not significant. Reference ranges vary markedly by method (e.g. Labcorp 14-72 U/L). Very high triglycerides can cause pancreatitis and interfere with some assays.
Units and conversion
Usually reported in U/L.
- From IU/L: multiply by 1 to get U/L
- From ukat/L: multiply by 60 to get U/L
Also called on lab reports
Lipase, Serum
Related tests: Pancreas
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a healthcare professional.