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Can A Blood Test Detect Abnormality In Pancreas?

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Posted on Mon, 10 Nov 2014
Question: if something was wrong with my pancreas would it show up in blood work
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Only in case of acute pancreatitis elevated amylase and lipase levels can be detected in the blood. In other cases including chronic pancreas inflammation, pancreas tumor there will be no sign of this issues in blood work (especially in early stages of it).
So if you want to be sure nothing wrong is with your pancreas, abdominal CT is the best available test.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (5 minutes later)
ok well im having slight discomfort in my upper abdomen and lower back it not unbearably sometime it feels stiff, burning, and bubbly if that makes sense. ive also experience loss of appetite and some nausa......I really havent pooped in a week and a half but took laxative last night and now im starting to go but its mostly diarrhea the discomfort started a couple of days ago
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
.

Detailed Answer:
Such symptoms are more characteristic for gallstones than pancreas issues. So you should start with abdominal ultrasound at first. Urine analysis should be done as well, as such symptoms can indicate urinary tract infection.
If nothing will be found, gastroscopy is a next step.

Hope this will help.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (1 minute later)
ok well what would be sign to indicate it is the pancreas
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
.

Detailed Answer:
It depends what kind of issue do you expect. Acute pancreatitis gives strong upper middle abdominal pain. The abdomen gets hard like a stone. Pain is very intestine, radiates to the both sides of the back. Nausea and vomiting appears after every food.
Pancreas tumor usually gives no symptoms at all. It is also hardly possible at your age.
Chronic pancreatitis gives usually mild abdominal pain. Weight loss and fatty diarrhea are quite possible.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (2 minutes later)
ok thank you I just get nervous I look at my symptoms and webmd goes directly to pancreatic cancer
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (2 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
.

Detailed Answer:
Pancreas cancer is a tumor which gives no symptoms at all for a very long time. Depending of its location, first symptom can be jaundice (white stool, dark urine, yellow skin, itching). Pain is not a characteristic symptoms of early pancreas cancer. Advanced pancreas cancer gives constant and hardly treatable pain. Yours symptoms really do not sound like a cancer at all.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (2 minutes later)
thank you yea I dont have any of the first symptoms
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
.

Detailed Answer:
You are welcome.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5795 Questions

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Can A Blood Test Detect Abnormality In Pancreas?

Brief Answer: No. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. Only in case of acute pancreatitis elevated amylase and lipase levels can be detected in the blood. In other cases including chronic pancreas inflammation, pancreas tumor there will be no sign of this issues in blood work (especially in early stages of it). So if you want to be sure nothing wrong is with your pancreas, abdominal CT is the best available test. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.