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Elevated Lipase

I have had mildly elevated lipase (amylase always normal) for 9 months.  At times I have stomach pains and always have bloating.  I have had a colonoscopy, abdominal CT scan, ultra-sound within the past 2 months and all were normal.  I have seen a specialist (gastroenterologist) and he said he is not concerned unless the blood levels are 2 - 3 times higher than normal (only about 50 - 70 points higher now).  I also have a mildly elevate AST for the past 4 years and tests have not shown a cause.  I do not drink or smoke.  I am otherwise a healthy 42 yr woman.  What would you do if you were me?  Thanks
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Avatar universal
I have the same issue with you.I am 46 y.o /female .Amylase and Lipase mildly elevated for a year..Ultrasound, MRI,CATtscan normal.
I read this link.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12522473
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2827584 tn?1340579696
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
If your gallbladder has been removed this could be consistent with sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. A gastroenterologist with biliary expertise should be able to sort this out.
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Avatar universal
I am a 33 year old woman and i am having the exact same. Problems. Ad u were. Did u ever fond an an answer?
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Avatar universal
My Lipase levels have been very high and my amylase levels have been moderately elevated for the past year. I had some minor pain in my upper abdomen and back, really bad heartburn and terrible bloating as well. Some days are worse than others and i'm sooooo sick of it!! I have had my gallbladder out, was in the hospital for a while for pancreatitis, Cat Scans, Ultra sounds, MRCP's, a colonoscopy, stomach empyting study----everything came back NORMALLL. i'm going for a pancreatic function test later this month to test for chronic pancreatitis. Please write back if they ever figure out what's wrong. Good luck & feel better :(
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Avatar universal
Snoopy,

I too have lipase elevated.... Although, all my tests were negative, my doc suspects that it could be my GB....or SOD..... Well, I am at the point to have my second HIDA scan done (the last one did not show anything).
I've heard that lipase can be elevated due to:
celiace sprue;
IBS
GB problems...
Well, SOD can cause it too....
Also, the bloating is not the only sign of "pancreas problem" - it could be a number of factors, including IBS...
Anyways, if any of you will find out WHY - let me know. Very appreciated!
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2 Comments
I know this is an old post & response, but thought this might be helpful others who see this. I, too had symptoms of abdominal bloating & pain (especially in the evenings), and bowel changes (diarrhea & loose stools). Had bloodwork which showed slightly elevated lipase but all else normal. Then had ultrasound which was normal and MRI w/contrast which showed a very slightly enlarged liver - GI doc didn't seem bothered by this because all my liver functioning tests were normal. He eventually diagnosed me with SIBO & IBS (look it up it's fairly common). He put me on an antibiotic (Rifaximin) which cleared up the SIBO quickly, and advised a Low FODMAP diet (again look it up). Feeling much better, stomach not a problem or bloated, even lost a few pounds! Perhaps that could be your diagnosis?  See a Gasteroenterologist who can rule out other serious causes and would be willing to prescribe Rifaximin (for 10 days, I think), which is not only the treatment for SIBO - but if it works is also diagnostic (he told me). Good luck!
Forgot to mention that I too am drinking the chlorophyll water, which I read about online. Takes my doctor first and he supported it as it also contains peppermint oil which has been clinically proven to help regulate bowel peristalsis(sp?). Anyway it's good for IBS, too. ☺
611067 tn?1458591483
Snoopy:
I recently was diagnosed with elevated Lipase levels too.  My Amylace levels were at the high end of normal.  My doctor thinks I have chronic pancreatitis.  I had some problems with my gallbladder a couple years ago and a gallstone was stuck in the pancreatic duct and so I had full blown Acute Pancreatitis.  I was told that gallstones can move around in the abdominal cavity for years after.  Anyway, I'm being treated for pancreatitis right now.  I also have the abdominal pain and it was gettng pretty bad.  My doctor placed me on a liquid diet of chicken broth and water to see if the pancreas would settle down and it has.  So, there's a specialist working with me right now to make sure there's nothing wrong with the pancreas.  I should be having a test pretty soon.  So, maybe try changing your diet.  I was told to add chlorophil to my water a couple times a day as it helps the pancreas and to eat a low-fat, higher carb diet - low sugar.  They say to eat mostly green veggies and for carbs things like yams - no simple carbs which contain too much sugar.  The bloating is another sign the pancreas is having problems.  You should ask your doctor to do a test I think it's like an endoscope only they go throught the stomach into the duct area to make sure there's nothing going on in there.  

Good luck!!!!
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