Amylase and lipase are digestive enzymes. Their quantity in the bloodstream is used to diagnose the condition of the pancreas if pancreatitis is suspected. Tests can be carried out on the direction of a doctor or at the request of the patient himself, but only a specialist can interpret the results and, if necessary, prescribe treatment. To obtain the most accurate results, special preparation is required before donating blood. For 10 hours before the tests, you must stop eating and avoid significant physical activity and stress.
Detailed description of the study
Pancreatic lipase is a water-soluble enzyme that catalyzes the reactions of digestion of neutral fats (triglycerides) in the initial part of the small intestine - the duodenum. The biochemical feature of lipase is that this enzyme can perform its function without coenzymes - derivatives of vitamins, nucleotides, heme, etc.
The process of digestion of triglycerides begins in the lumen of the stomach with the help of lingual lipase, which is produced in the glands of the tongue and enters the stomach along with saliva. However, the main stage of digestion of neutral fats begins in the small intestine. Pancreatic lipase is formed in the pancreas and, as part of pancreatic juice, is secreted through the duct into the lumen of the duodenum together with colipase. This protein indirectly accelerates the action of lipase, so that fats begin to break down faster.
Before digestion, fats sequentially pass through the emulsification stage. Bile produced in the liver directly produces this process - the integrity of the neutral fat molecule is disrupted, as a result of which triglycerides are repeatedly mixed with water in the lumen of the small intestine and crushed into small fat droplets. After this, the process of hydrolysis begins with the participation of pancreatic lipase.
With pancreatitis, the outflow of pancreatic juice into the duodenum is disrupted. The large amount of lipase and other enzymes remaining in the gland, which have pronounced biological activity, leads to inflammation of the “self-digestion” type - the enzymes destroy the anatomical structure of the pancreas and become the main cause of the development of inflammation. In this case, a significant part of the lipase begins to enter the blood. In addition, lipase together with calcium leads to extensive damage to the pancreas (pancreatic necrosis).
Another enzyme, alpha-amylase, is also a marker of pancreatitis. This protein is formed in the cells of the salivary glands and pancreas; it is involved in the hydrolysis of carbohydrates. With pancreatitis, the pancreatic form of amylase in the blood increases, and salivary amylase levels remain within normal values. Accordingly, hyperfermentemia (increased lipase or amylase in the blood) by more than three times is one of the key signs of acute pancreatitis.
In the context of diagnosing acute pancreatitis, lipase is a more specific enzyme than amylase. An increase in the level of lipase in pancreatitis is observed approximately 4-8 hours after the onset of the disease, amylase - 2-12 hours. In this case, the level of lipase in the blood, as a rule, increases to a greater extent and can remain elevated much longer compared to amylase (7-10 days / 3-4 days). It has also been found that in about 20% of patients, the concentration of serum amylase can remain within normal limits. This property is not typical for lipase.
Also, the level of serum pancreatic lipase may be increased in diseases of the hepatobiliary region and systemic diseases leading to secondary damage to the pancreatic gland.
Lipase test
Lipase is an enzyme that is necessary for the breakdown of fats. The results of a blood test for lipase play an important role in the diagnosis of diseases such as obstruction of the pancreatic duct and pancreatitis in acute or chronic form. Reference values for this enzyme are 13-60 IU/L. If the test results are within these values, this indicates that at the moment the pathological process does not affect the pancreas.
Increased performance
may indicate acute or chronic inflammation, neoplastic changes, traumatic damage to the pancreas, or blockage of its ducts. It is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis and select an effective treatment method based on the results of one test. For this purpose, an examination is prescribed, which may include both laboratory tests and instrumental studies.
Concentration too low
enzyme in the blood may indicate a decrease in the functional activity of the pancreas or cystic fibrosis. Determination of lipase levels has a high diagnostic value in identifying various pancreatic pathologies. The enzyme is produced only by the cells of this organ, so it can be used as a marker of its condition.
When interpreting the results, the patient’s age, clinical picture, results of other studies and other factors are taken into account.
Taking Pancreatin to compensate for lipase
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In order for food to be completely digested and all the necessary substances to be absorbed by the body, a sufficient amount of enzymes is required:
- lipases;
- amylase;
- trypsin;
- chymotrypsin.
If there are not enough of them, the person requires replacement therapy. One of the most effective drugs is Pancreatin. It helps in the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, and is used in the treatment of pancreatitis. With its help, digestion processes are normalized, and the functional state of the gastrointestinal tract is improved.
On a note! Pancreatin is an international nonproprietary name (INN). Therefore, many manufacturers can produce it under the same name, because The name "Pancreatin" does not belong to anyone.
Pancreatin: instructions
The enzyme preparation is often used in gastroenterology. It facilitates the digestion of food and promotes better absorption of essential vitamins and microelements in the small intestine. Since the enzymes contained in the product lose activity when exposed to gastric juice, the medicine is available in the form of tablets or capsules coated with a special coating. It is destroyed in the intestines, activating enzymes.
How to use
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How and in what quantities to use the drug depends on the dosage, age of the patient, diagnosis, form of release and other factors. It is better if the prescription is made by a doctor after all the necessary examinations.
Important! Preparations containing digestive enzymes are taken with meals or immediately after meals, unless otherwise indicated in the instructions.
The recommendations for the dosage form of the specific drug used, indications for use and dosage regimen should be strictly followed. The daily dose for an adult is 150,000 units/day. The duration of treatment depends on the disease and can vary from several days and even up to several years.
Pancreatin: at the pharmacy
In any pharmacy in Moscow and St. Petersburg you can find a variety of drugs containing lipase . Manufacturers promise an almost instant effect. Or vice versa, you need a lot of pills and take them for a very long time. And many people have long noticed that conventional drugs do not always give the expected effect. There are good drugs in pharmacies, but many people prefer to order dietary supplements on iHerb.com, because... All products are shipped from warehouses in the USA. And here many people from Russia and 150 countries around the world regularly place orders for various herbal supplements and vitamins. When purchasing dietary supplements and sports nutrition from iHerb, you can be confident in its quality and originality. iHerb works only with trusted manufacturers.
All products are purchased, stored and delivered in accordance with all GMP and manufacturer safety requirements. Humidity and temperature conditions are regularly monitored. Absolutely all additives have documents confirming the quality of the products.
Pancreatin: reviews
Diseases of the pancreas occur at any age, especially in those people who do not particularly monitor their diet, exceed the portions required by the body and abuse alcohol. Pancreatin is extremely necessary in the first aid kit, people with gastrointestinal problems note in reviews. The effect after administration occurs literally within 30-40 minutes. As a rule, it is prescribed by doctors, because this drug has proven itself well. Take Pancreatin alone or in combination with other medications. Many people have known pancreatin since the times of the USSR.
People with chronic pancreatitis take a course of the drug for prevention 1-2 weeks before the holiday feast. The drug helps improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and also replenishes the deficiency of digestive enzymes.
The main contraindication is individual intolerance, but it occurs in only 1% of people taking Pancreatin. If you follow all the recommendations and follow a diet, this will allow you to avoid surgical intervention and quickly return to your normal life.
On average, in reviews in general, people note the positive role of Pankratin in alleviating the gastrointestinal tract after:
- abundant holiday food;
- food poisoning;
- consuming stale or not very clean products from hand in markets, stalls, etc.
Maintaining digestion and treating enzyme deficiencies
If you have problems with digestion, enzyme preparations (more often called drugs to improve digestion) can help, the main task of which is to compensate for the lack of the body’s own enzymes. It’s not for nothing that this therapy is called “enzyme replacement”. It is critical that the enzyme preparation “mimics” the physiological process as closely as possible.
Today, there are various drugs to improve digestion. How to navigate the variety of means and make the right choice?
An effective enzyme preparation must meet the following criteria5,6:
- have an optimal particle size
- do not break down in the stomach
- quickly activate in the intestines
The drug Creon® meets all these requirements.
To learn more
1) Today, pancreatin minimicrospheres, which are contained only in the drug Creon®5,7, are recognized as the optimal particles. The invention of minimicrospheres was the result of many years of work to improve the effectiveness of enzyme preparations, which left far behind drugs in the form of tablets and capsules with other types of particles inside: pellets, mini-tablets, etc. In addition, Creon® minimicrospheres are produced using patented technology, which prevents other manufacturers from reproducing the same release form.
2) Creon® minimicrospheres are enclosed in a capsule that protects them from the destructive effects of the stomach. But that is not all. Each particle is covered with an acid-resistant coating in order to “reach” the intestines, where its work is necessary, completely intact. At the same time, some other encapsulated drugs can lose up to 30% of their activity6.
3) Creon® begins to work within 15 minutes after entering the intestines, improving digestion and thereby eliminating heaviness and discomfort after eating6.
Creon® has several dosages, including 10,000 IU of lipase - the minimum required dose of lipase to improve digestion in case of dietary errors, eating heavy foods and overeating. To obtain the effect, Creon®10000, like any enzyme preparation, must be taken with every meal - during breakfast, lunch and dinner.
What to do if lipase levels are elevated
If a patient has elevated lipase levels, they should consult a doctor, as this may be a sign of serious health problems that should only be treated under the supervision of a qualified physician.
In some cases, changes in enzyme levels may be associated with other factors, such as taking corticosteroid hormones and certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen), captopril, oral contraceptives, loop diuretics, non-narcotic analgesics and heparin. Therefore, when receiving the result, you need to tell the doctor in detail whether the patient is taking any medications in order to exclude an erroneous diagnosis.
