Lipase
Serum Lipase
What this test measures
Lipase is an enzyme produced by your pancreas that helps digest fats. It's more specific to the pancreas than amylase and is often used to diagnose pancreatitis.
Understanding the numbers
Typical range: 10-140 U/L (may vary by lab)
Lipase stays raised longer than amylase in pancreatitis, making it useful for diagnosis.
- Normal: 0–140 U/L
- Mildly raised: 140–420 U/L
- Suggestive of pancreatitis: 420–1000 U/L
- Markedly raised: 1000–2000 U/L
Key numbers
- 140 U/L — Typical upper limit
- 420 U/L — >3× upper limit suggests pancreatitis
Reference range varies by lab. Atlanta criteria define acute pancreatitis as requiring two of: typical pain, lipase (or amylase) >3× upper limit, or imaging findings. Lipase is more specific than amylase and stays raised longer, so it is the preferred test when symptoms have lasted more than a day or two.
Ranges can vary slightly between laboratories — your report may show slightly different numbers. This page does not read or interpret your result; your GP looks at it alongside your history and other tests.
What a higher-than-normal result can mean
- Strongly suggests acute pancreatitis
- Can be raised by gallstones, alcohol, or certain medications
- Levels 3 times normal are very suggestive of pancreatitis
- Kidney disease can also cause moderately raised levels
When not to wait
Acute pancreatitis can become severe quickly.
- Severe upper tummy pain radiating to the back
- Persistent vomiting and unable to keep fluids down
- Fever or shivering with abdominal pain
- Fast breathing, low blood pressure, or feeling faint
- Yellow skin or eyes with abdominal pain
- Passing little or no urine
- Known pancreatitis getting worse rather than better
Call NHS 111 for urgent advice, or 999 if someone is seriously unwell.
Questions you could ask your GP
- Does this confirm pancreatitis?
- What might have caused my pancreas to become inflamed?
- Do I need to stop drinking alcohol?
- What follow-up tests or treatment do I need?
Example stories
These are made-up examples to show how results are talked about in real appointments. They are not real patients.
Acute pancreatitis — lipase confirms
Martin had severe tummy pain for 48 hours. Amylase was only mildly raised at 180, but lipase was 1680.
What the GP said: “Because you'd had pain for two days, the amylase was already coming down. Lipase stays up longer — and your lipase clearly confirms acute pancreatitis.”
What happened next: Martin was admitted and treated; his lipase fell over a week.
If symptoms have lasted more than 24-48 hours, lipase is the more reliable test — amylase can normalise while lipase still tells the story.
Hypertriglyceridaemia pancreatitis
Anika had severe upper tummy pain. Lipase 950, triglycerides 14 mmol/L, amylase 480.
What the GP said: “Your triglycerides are very high — they can inflame the pancreas directly. Low-fat diet, fenofibrate and a lipid clinic referral will lower the triglycerides and prevent another attack.”
What happened next: With fenofibrate and a strict low-fat diet, her triglycerides fell to 4 and she had no further attacks.
Very high triglycerides (>10 mmol/L) cause pancreatitis. Both the amylase and the lipase are high; the underlying cause is the triglycerides and needs specific treatment.
Non-pancreatic abdominal pain
Tariq had tummy pain and nausea. Lipase 95, amylase 100. A scan revealed gastritis on endoscopy.
What the GP said: “Your pancreas tests are normal — this is gastritis, not pancreatitis. Treatment is different: PPI and stopping any tablets that irritate the stomach.”
What happened next: PPI and stopping ibuprofen resolved Tariq's pain in two weeks.
A normal lipase in acute abdominal pain is reassuring for excluding pancreatitis. The lab test is only one piece — always interpret alongside the clinical picture and imaging.
Chronic pancreatitis — often normal lipase
Dorothy had been losing weight and had smelly greasy stools. Lipase 60 (normal), CT showed chronic pancreatitis.
What the GP said: “In chronic pancreatitis the gland is burnt out and may no longer make enough enzymes — lipase can look 'normal' or even low. Your symptoms and CT make the diagnosis. Pancreatic enzyme supplements will help with the fat absorption.”
What happened next: Creon with meals resolved the greasy stools and Dorothy regained weight.
In chronic pancreatitis the blood tests often look falsely normal — the damaged gland isn't producing enzymes. Symptoms (weight loss, fatty stools, pain) and imaging are the diagnosis.
Before you act on anything here
This page is general information, written to help you understand — it is not personal medical advice and it cannot tell you what is right for you. Talk to your own GP, pharmacist or nurse about your own health.
- Need help now but it's not an emergency? Call NHS 111 or use 111.nhs.uk.
- Emergency? Call 999 or go to A&E.