In acute pancreatitis, which laboratory finding is typically elevated?

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Multiple Choice

In acute pancreatitis, which laboratory finding is typically elevated?

In acute pancreatitis, pancreatic enzymes leak into the bloodstream, so the hallmark lab finding is elevation of pancreatic enzymes in serum. Among these, lipase is more specific to the pancreas and tends to remain elevated longer, making it particularly useful for diagnosis, though amylase is often elevated as well. Typically, both enzymes rise within hours of onset and can be markedly elevated (often more than three times the upper limit of normal). The other labs—white blood cell count, hyperglycemia, or elevated BUN and coagulation parameters—can occur with inflammation or severe disease but are not the characteristic diagnostic finding.

In acute pancreatitis, pancreatic enzymes leak into the bloodstream, so the hallmark lab finding is elevation of pancreatic enzymes in serum. Among these, lipase is more specific to the pancreas and tends to remain elevated longer, making it particularly useful for diagnosis, though amylase is often elevated as well. Typically, both enzymes rise within hours of onset and can be markedly elevated (often more than three times the upper limit of normal). The other labs—white blood cell count, hyperglycemia, or elevated BUN and coagulation parameters—can occur with inflammation or severe disease but are not the characteristic diagnostic finding.

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