0 to 160 units per liter (U/L). Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

Higher-than-normal levels may be due to:

• Blockage of the bowel
• Celiac disease
• Cholecystitis (with effects on the pancreas)
• Duodenal ulcer
• Gastroenteritis (severe)
• Macrolipasemia
• Pancreatic cancer
• Pancreatitis -- acute or chronic

This test may also be done forfamilial lipoprotein lipase deficiency.

Review Date: 02/04/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)