SERUM LIPASE AND AMYLASE
- Pancreas produce lipase and amylase.
AMYLASE - it's an enzyme that can find in human saliva that helps to digest carbohydrates.
LIPASE - an enzyme that helps to breakdown fat to fatty acids. pancreas release lipase into the small intestine.
To diagnose pancreatitis, serum lipase and amylase are most frequently the specimen to test.
Increase level of amylase and lipase will cause inflammation of the pancreas.
Following conditions in having a high risk of pancreatitis, including hyperamylasemia and hyperlipasemia:
- Alcoholism
- Hereditary
- High triglyceride level
- Obese
- History of gall bladder stones
REFERENCES: http://emj.bmj.com/content/19/5/430.full, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003465.htm, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003464.htm, http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/side-effects/hyperamylasemia-high-amylase.aspx
