Lipase Test
A lipase test measures the amount of lipase in the blood, a digestive enzyme produced mainly by the pancreas. Clinicians use it to help evaluate the pancreas and certain digestive concerns.
About this test
Lipase is an enzyme that helps the body break down fats from food into smaller pieces it can absorb. The great majority of it is made by the pancreas, an organ behind the stomach that releases digestive enzymes into the small intestine.
The test is done with a simple blood draw at a Quest patient service center. A phlebotomist collects a sample from a vein, usually in the arm, and it is sent to the laboratory.
Who might consider this test?
- Look into lipase when a clinician is exploring abdominal pain
- Other digestive symptoms that may involve the pancreas
Test details
| Quest code | 606 |
|---|---|
| Methodology | Spectrophotometry |
| Sample type | 1 mL serum |
| Collection | Quest patient service center |
Reference range
7-60 U/L
Reference ranges are general guidance. The range printed on your own laboratory report is the one that applies to your result.
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Quest resources
Additional details
What this test looks at
The test measures the level of lipase circulating in the blood. Since the pancreas is the primary source, the result can reflect how that organ is working, which is why a clinician may look at it when digestive symptoms raise questions about the pancreas.
It helps to remember what the marker describes: the amount of the enzyme present, not the reason behind it. On its own, lipase does not explain why a result sits where it does, so a clinician weighs it against symptoms and other findings rather than reading it in isolation.
Why it's often paired with amylase
Lipase and amylase are both digestive enzymes connected to the pancreas, and clinicians frequently order them together. Looking at the pair can give a more rounded view than either alone, because the two can behave differently depending on what is happening. Many clinicians consider lipase especially informative for pancreas-related questions, but interpretation always belongs to the clinician and the wider clinical picture rather than to any single number.
Order online and a physician order is included — no doctor's visit and no insurance needed. Your sample is collected at a Quest Diagnostics patient service center.
Laboratory results should always be interpreted by a licensed clinician who knows your health history. This page is information about a test, not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
What does a lipase test measure?
It measures the amount of lipase in the blood, a digestive enzyme produced mainly by the pancreas that helps the body break down fats.
Why might a clinician look at lipase?
Lipase is often measured when a clinician is exploring abdominal pain, nausea, or other digestive symptoms that may involve the pancreas, as one part of a broader evaluation.
Why are lipase and amylase often measured together?
Both enzymes are connected to the pancreas, so measuring them side by side can give a clinician a fuller view than either one alone when pancreas-related questions come up.
How is the sample collected?
Through a routine blood draw at a Quest patient service center. A phlebotomist takes a small sample from a vein in the arm and sends it to the laboratory.
Can I interpret my lipase result on my own?
A result is best read by a clinician who can weigh it against symptoms, history, and other markers. The results page is a starting point for that conversation rather than an answer on its own.
How much does the Lipase test cost?
The cash price at Celio Health is $75. That covers the physician's order and sample collection at a Quest patient service center — no insurance is needed and there's no separate doctor's visit to pay for.