Which laboratory tests are elevated in pancreatitis?

Which laboratory tests are elevated in pancreatitis?

• A. Serum lipase and amylase.
• B. Serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase.
• C. Creatinine and BUN.
• D. Troponin I and CK-MB.

Answer: (A)

Pancreatic injury releases digestive enzymes into the blood, with amylase and lipase being the most elevated. Lipase is more specific to the pancreas and remains elevated longer, though amylase rises early. This combination makes serum lipase and amylase the best indicators of pancreatitis. The other labs point to different systems—bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase relate to biliary/liver disease, creatinine and BUN reflect renal function, and troponin I with CK-MB indicate cardiac injury—so they are not the primary markers for pancreatitis.

Pancreatic injury releases digestive enzymes into the blood, with amylase and lipase being the most elevated. Lipase is more specific to the pancreas and remains elevated longer, though amylase rises early. This combination makes serum lipase and amylase the best indicators of pancreatitis. The other labs point to different systems—bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase relate to biliary/liver disease, creatinine and BUN reflect renal function, and troponin I with CK-MB indicate cardiac injury—so they are not the primary markers for pancreatitis.