Lipase is not specific for Pancreatitis. It may be significantly elevated in a number of other disorders including inflammatory bowel disease and Ulcerative Colitis, a case in point noted recently in this laboratory.
Mario D'Costa Ph.D. FCACB
Director of Clinical Chemistry and Core Lab
St. Joseph's Health Centre
30 The Queensway, Toronto
On, Canada, M6R 1B5
Tel: 416-530-6263
Fax: 416-530-6559
email: [log in to unmask]
>>> <[log in to unmask]> 07/22/01 11:14PM >>>
35 year old male
Severe Left Iliac Fossa Pain (warrants admission)
Pancreatic Amylase 36 (NR up to 53)
GGT 220 (NR up to 50)
**PLASMA LIPASE 2,650 (NR < 190 U/l)**
Fasting Triglycerides 4.6 mmol/l; Porphyrins Negative
Abdo Ultrasounds: fatty liver, otherwise normal.
(1) Why is the lipase so markedly elevated ? If this were pancreatitis, then one would expect Pancreatic Amylase to be elevated too, and possibly some changes on ultrasound.
(2) I understand that amylase can sometimes be normal in acute pancreatitis, but under what circumstances ? and could this apply here ?
Any comments or enlightenment would be welcomed.
Dr Chris Florkowski
Chemical Pathologist
Christchurch, New Zealand
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