Amylase and Lipase Test
Understanding Digestive
Health
With Amylase and Lipase
Tests
Amylase and lipase are enzymes
produced by the pancreas and are essential for proper digestion of fats and
carbohydrates. Amylase and lipase tests are diagnostic tests that measure the level
of these enzymes in the blood and are commonly performed to assess function of
the pancreas and diagnose conditions related to pancreas and digestive tract.
Elevated levels of these two enzymes could indicate various issues but further
assessment is often needed to identify the underlying conditions that are
causing the increased levels of these enzymes.
Overview of the Key Points of Amylase and Lipase Tests:
Importance of Amylase and Lipase Test:
Amylase is an enzyme that helps
break down carbohydrates, particularly starches into simpler sugars such as
glucose. Amylase is produced by pancreas as well as salivary glands. Elevated
levels of amylase in the blood can be indicative of disorders or conditions of
pancreas such as acute or chronic pancreatitis but can also be elevated in
cases of salivary gland disorders or some other digestive conditions. Normal
amylase levels are in the range of 30-110 units per litre (U/L) in adults.
Lipase is an enzyme that breaks
down fats into fatty acids and glycerol and is largely produced by the
pancreas. Elevated levels of lipase are often indicative of pancreatitis and
can also increase in other pancreatic disorders, gallbladder disease, or some
digestive conditions. The normal range of lipase enzyme is between 0 to 160 U/L
in adults.
Procedure:
●
Before the test, patients must provide their medical
history and other related information to the healthcare provider.
●
Fasting of 8-10 hours is generally advised by the
healthcare provider before the test to generate accurate results of the levels
of the enzymes.
●
A trained nurse or phlebotomist will clean the area in
the vein from where the blood is to be collected with an antiseptic solution.
●
A tourniquet is then applied to the arm to make the
vein more visible and a needle is then inserted into the vein to collect blood.
●
The blood sample is then collected in specific tubes
labelled accurately with the patient information.
●
The tourniquet is removed and a bandage is applied to
the site of venipuncture to stop any further bleeding or infection.
●
The sample is then sent to the laboratory for analysis
using specialised enzymatic assays.
● Based on the results and taking into consideration the
patient history, the healthcare provider will then interpret the results and
decide on the further course of action.
Benefits:
●
Relatively quick, easy, and painless procedure
●
Helps in early diagnosis of pancreatic disorders
●
Helps in analysis of overall function of the pancreas
and aids in diagnosis of conditions such as cystic fibrosis or chronic
pancreatitis
●
Helps in deciding on early treatment and management
strategies
●
Helps in monitoring the effectiveness of treatment and
monitoring the progress of the condition
Precautions to be taken for Amylase and Lipase Test:
Patients must follow the fasting
and other guidelines provided by the healthcare providers to ensure accuracy of
the test. Patients must also inform their healthcare provider of any
medications or supplements they are taking as some drugs can affect the test
results. Patients must also let their healthcare providers know about their
medical history, underlying conditions, or if they are undergoing any
treatment. Patients must avoid undergoing any stress or vigorous exercise
before the test as this can affect the levels of enzymes in the blood. If the
patient is pregnant or might be pregnant, the patient must inform this to the
healthcare provider as it can alter the levels of amylase and lipase in the
blood. In addition, patients are advised not to smoke before the test as
smoking can elevate the levels of these enzyme and may result in inaccurate
results.
