Preferred Sample Type
Suitable Specimen Types
- Serum
2 mL blood (100 uL serum min. volume)
Specimen Transport
Send samples at ambient temperature to the laboratory as soon as possible after collection; please store samples refrigerated overnight if unable to send to the laboratory on the day of sample collection.Sample Processing in Laboratory
No special transport requirementsSample Preparation
Centrifuge sample and separate serum/plasma.Turnaround Time
7 daysSample Stability
Lipase is stable for 5 days at +2°C to +8°C or 24 hours at 20°C to 25°CLipase
General Information
Lipase measurements are used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the pancreas such as acute pancreatitis and obstruction of the pancreatic duct. Amylase is the routine test available to diagnose acute pancreatitis, however Lipase measurements may be useful in certain clinical scenarios e.g. suspected acute pancreatitis in patients presenting late after onset (Lipase remains elevated for longer than Amylase). Lipase also offers greater specificity as it is not raised in cases of macroamylaseamia or conditions causing a raised salivary amylase.
Patient Preparation
None
Notes
No significant interference from haemolysis, icterus or lipaemia.
Reference Range
5.6 – 51.3 IU/L in serum
Source of Reference Range
RANDOXSpecifications
- EQA Scheme?: Yes
- EQA Status: UK NEQAS for Clinical Chemistry Scheme