A lipase test measures the amount of this enzyme in a blood sample. High amounts of lipase may be found in the blood when the pancreas is damaged or when the tube leading from the pancreas (pancreatic duct) to the beginning of the small intestine is blocked.
The lipase test is commonly ordered when you have one of the health conditions like acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, celiac disease, and pancreatic cancer.
Reference values for people ages 16 and up are 10–73 units per liter (U/L).
