Re: Re: Lab Tests Online / Heidi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/06/2002 17:39:20 US Eastern Standard Time,

hhessgriffeth@... writes:

> >>>Also of note was a mention in their description of chronic Pancreatitis

> was that amylase levels do not show an increase once the disease is more

> progressed! <<<

Heidi,

Thanks for bringing that to our attention. Heidi is referencing the lab tests

on line web site found at

http://www.labtestsonline.org/site/index.htmlhttp://www.labtestsonline.o\

rg/site/index.html

or more directly to:

http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/pancreatitis.htmlhttp://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/pancreatitis.html

For those who may not have visited the site Heidi referred to I wanted to

bring these other points to your attention, too. It discusses this when

talking about the tests,

In regard to Amylase,

" ...Amylase ... will often be moderately elevated until the cells that

produce it are destroyed. ... "

And in regard to Lipase,

" As cells are destroyed with Chronic Pancreatitis and as Lipase production

drops to less than 10% of the normal level, steatorrhea [fatty, foul-smelling

stools) will form. "

And in regard to pancreatic insufficiency

It also talks about this in the description about Chronic Pancreatitis,

" Over time, the pancreas tissue becomes increasingly scarred and the cells

that produce digestive enzymes are destroyed, causing pancreatic

insufficiency (inability to produce enzymes and digest fats and proteins). "

Lab Tests On Line have been very willing to work with the PAI on our requests

to amend their information to conform to up to date changes. I wrote them

recently to encourage them to revisit their section where they discuss the

causes of Pancreatitis. I feel that there should be more information re:

Pancreatic Divisum, and other congenital and ductal anomalies, as well as

medication and virus induced Pancreatitis. Doing this would give us another

" professional " resource to document that many persons have never had any

alcohol in their entire life, and with improved documentation of nonalcoholic

causes of Pancreatitis, it will help the PAI in its mission of pt. advocacy

against " disease profiling " persons with Pancreatitis as drug seekers. It is

important to add that it Alcoholism is a disease and not a characteristic to

use in profiling either.

We have had increased success if other PAI members send in a similar letter.

I encourage you to do so. Ask that they include the cause of your

Pancreatitis in their article.

It can be addressed to;

labtestsonline@...labtestsonline@...

Karyn , RN

Founder / Executive Director

http://www.pancassociation.org

1- / KarynWms@...

PAI Home Office: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA