Question about Lipase and Amylase Levels

May 25, 2005

Is it true that if your levels are not elevated, you can still be

having an accute attack of Pancreatitis. I ask this question because

my Fiance, went the ER on Sunday and they ran his Lipase and Amylase

and they were well within normal range. I have never seen his levels

this normal. The doctor refused to give him any pain medication and

we went home. The next day he went to a different hospital and his

levels were the same, but they gave him pain medication.

Wouldn't your pancrease not register Lipase and Amylase unless it was

signigicantly impaired/not functioning? Why do the doctors run this

test if it does not mattter how high or low your levels are? If it is

not a determining factor in diagnosis pancreatitis, why do they even

run the test?

I am just worried once again that he is drug seeking. He had avoided

the hosptial and ER for 2 months until last week. He had to be

hospitalized for 4 days becuase his Lipase was at 840. Since his day

of release, he says that he has been hurting and gone to the Emergency

Room at least twice, in a period of 5 days.

Can someone help me understand this?

Thanke Sam

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