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What Causes Elevated Lipase Levels In A 64 Year Old Woman?
Question: 64 yr. old female...... history of , hypothyroid/graves/rai........cured hep c....cirrhotic liver.....copd......kidney stones...gallbadder stones, .....IBS.....last flare up copd resp. infection excessive coughing brought on epigastric hernia [repairing soon]. recent vomiting [short term ] uncomfortable sharp intermittent pain upper right quadrant, protonics for a month seemed to relieve most symptoms . recent weight gain 10lbs in month...recent lipase spike to 130....hence mri/contrast ..impression: no acute findings. no CT evidence of acute pancreatitis......noted hydronehrosis & minor atherosclerotic disease... no alcohol/drugs......what other reasons would account for lipase levels to rise to 130 without a diagnosis of pancreatitis? also last 3 days extreme muscle stifness & left upper arm pain [tolerable] rotor cuff damage years ago but never had much problems in the past from that injury.
Brief Answer:
Other conditions may also cause raised levels of Lipase.
Detailed Answer:
I warmly welcome you to HCM. Thanks for consulting at this virtual clinic.
I have gone through your case and want to add that sometimes elevated Lipase levels are seen in conditions other than pancreatic infections.
There is a difference in pattern of rise and fall of levels of Lipase in pancreatic and non-pancreatic causes.
In Pancreatic infections, the Lipase levels rise quickly and falls in a week or two. But in other conditions the levels don't rise so much as in pancreatic infections and also they don't fall so quickly. Rather they remain constant for longer time periods.
In kidney disease the levels may rise as there is less clearance from blood. Other conditions related to raised Lipases are:-
Inflammation of salivary glands, gallbladder.
Obstruction of the intestines.
Ulcers of stomach and Small intestine.
Celiac disease.
Arm pain may be related to wear and tear to the rotator cuff and needs evaluation by an Orthopedist.
Hydronephrosis indicates some damaging pathology of the kidney. Nephrologist consultation is needed. He will need to rule it out for better insight and management.
Hope it helps. Please feel free to contact me anytime directly from my profile if you need further assistance.
Regards!
Other conditions may also cause raised levels of Lipase.
Detailed Answer:
I warmly welcome you to HCM. Thanks for consulting at this virtual clinic.
I have gone through your case and want to add that sometimes elevated Lipase levels are seen in conditions other than pancreatic infections.
There is a difference in pattern of rise and fall of levels of Lipase in pancreatic and non-pancreatic causes.
In Pancreatic infections, the Lipase levels rise quickly and falls in a week or two. But in other conditions the levels don't rise so much as in pancreatic infections and also they don't fall so quickly. Rather they remain constant for longer time periods.
In kidney disease the levels may rise as there is less clearance from blood. Other conditions related to raised Lipases are:-
Inflammation of salivary glands, gallbladder.
Obstruction of the intestines.
Ulcers of stomach and Small intestine.
Celiac disease.
Arm pain may be related to wear and tear to the rotator cuff and needs evaluation by an Orthopedist.
Hydronephrosis indicates some damaging pathology of the kidney. Nephrologist consultation is needed. He will need to rule it out for better insight and management.
Hope it helps. Please feel free to contact me anytime directly from my profile if you need further assistance.
Regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Deepak
Answered by
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