Inflammation of the pancreas, leading to severe disorders in the body, most often manifested by pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is acute, and if you repeat the attacks 2-3 times a year, it becomes chronic.

It is caused by various reasons. For successful treatment, it is necessary to eliminate the causes of the disease. To eliminate them, the patient needs to be thoroughly examined. Pancreatitis tests are an important part of all patient examination methods.

Deviation from the norm in terms of blood, urine, feces indicates the development of the inflammatory process in the pancreas. What tests take for pancreatitis, determines the doctor. Often this:

• clinical blood test;
• blood biochemistry;
• fecal examination;
• laboratory tests.

Clinical analysis

Metabolism in the body lays its cast on the blood. Therefore, her research is an important diagnosis of the patient's condition.

As part of the general review, the familiar elements are:

• red blood cells that promote the transfer of oxygen throughout the body;
• leukocytes fighting infection;
• platelets involved in blood coagulation.

In addition to them, the research indicators include:

• leukocyte formula is the ratio of different types of leukocytes counted in a blood smear as a percentage;
• color index of saturation of erythrocytes with hemoglobin;
• ESR or erythrocyte sedimentation rate is a non-specific indicator of the pathology of the organism.

All indicators are normal, deviations from it in the blood test provide an opportunity to suspect the inflammatory process in the body, which requires additional research.

Blood biochemistry

According to the results of indications in the blood test, if the doctor correctly deciphers them, it is possible to judge the health of each organ and all systems of the human body. Abnormalities inherent in healthy people help determine the active inflammatory process and establish the stage of the disease.

Biochemical research has many positions, and a particular doctor can include only those positions that are, in his opinion, important in the diagnosis of the disease. Includes indicators:

• glucose, i.e. sugar;
• urea;
• creatinine;
• residual nitrogen;
• total lipids;
• cholesterol HDL, LDL, HDL;
• atherogenic coefficient;
• triglycerides;
• phospholipids;
• total bilirubin;
• total protein;
• albumen;
• AsAt;
• Alat;
• lipase;
• amylase;
• gamma gtr;
• antistreptolysin-O;
• rheumatic factor;
• CRP (C-reactive protein);
• alkaline phosphatase;
• protein fractions: albumin, globulins, beta globulins, gamma globulins;
• calcium;
• potassium;
• sodium;
• chlorine;
• iron.

Behind each position is a specific organ that produces trace elements in the blood. Deviation from the norm makes it possible to assume that it is inflamed.

Biochemical analysis of blood for pancreatitis uses the following positions:

1. Amylase is an enzyme of the digestive system produced by the pancreas. Thanks to amylase, complex carbohydrates are broken down during food digestion, turning them into glucose. Since the gland secretes enzymes and hormones, the amylase produced by it is called pancreatic. Pancreatitis increases the amylase index several times from the norm.
2. Lipase - an enzyme responsible for the breakdown of fats, is produced by pancreatic cells, and is activated by trypsin. In acute pancreatitis, lipase shows abnormalities.
3. Pancreatic elastase is a proteolytic enzyme responsible for protein digestion. Elastase in an inactive form is synthesized in the gland, becoming active, under the influence of trypsin.
4. Phospholipase - an enzyme of the blood, is an ideal marker for pancreatitis, which will determine the degree of damage to acinar cells of the pancreas.
5. Trypsin is a pancreatic protease, the only source of which is the pancreas. More than other enzymes indicates its defeat.
6. Glucose, which has a deviation from the norm upwards, evidence of a decrease in insulin production.
7. Bilirubin. When the pancreas is enlarged, it blocks the path of bile, resulting in increased bilirubin.
8. Total protein The fall in total protein is evidence of protein - energy deficiency, i.e., an imbalance of needs and nutrient supply.

Fecal examination

The study of feces for the recognition of malfunctions in the pancreas is of minimal importance. Reduced secretion affects the processing of fats. In feces are observed:

• the presence of fat;
• food fragments;
• feces light when squeezing biliary tract.

Urine test

The level of diastase, also known as amylase, in the urine is evidence of pancreatic disease. Marked excess of 250 times. Its increase is due not only to pancreatitis, but to many other factors. Therefore, with an increased level of diastase, data from other studies are needed. The decrease in diastase is due to malfunctioning of enzyme-forming activity.

We select from the entire list of positions only those that may indicate pancreatitis:

• darker urine color depends on the volume of amylase or squeezing of the biliary tract;
• ketone bodies are present in the urine and indicate pancreatitis;
• appearance in the urine of leukocytes, erythrocytes, proteins, cylinders, which are different from normal levels.

The ambiguity in the interpretation of a given position of the study dictates the need for additional tests to clarify the result.

Important diagnostic tests

To show an accurate diagnosis of pancreatitis, research methods are complemented by various laboratory tests. Popular tests from various options:

• immunoreactive trypsin recognition. A positive test result in 4 options out of 10 gives a definition of pancreatitis;
• blood trypsin and inhibitor concentrations with a decrease in plasma volume indicate abnormalities in the organ;
• detection of trypsinogen in the urine can be marked by almost 100% likelihood of pancreatitis. The cost of this analysis is quite high;
• characteristic tests that prove the lack of enzyme production are tests: Lunda, bentiramine, with methionine, with para-aminobenzoic acid, with ether-mecholyl, and also pancreatolauriline samples.

The glucose tolerance test will determine the disorder in the synthesis of insulin by the pancreas.

Probably, many did not suspect that such tests and tests could be taken. Taking care of their health, the patient can ask the doctor about the appointment of such studies.

Laboratory studies complement the diagnosis of pancreatitis, being an important part of the overall due diligence. Positions in laboratory studies are many, however, indicators of the volume of enzymes in the blood represent the maximum importance for the doctor. In the course of 1 day - pancreatic amylase, after a few days the control - elastase and lipase. In chronic pancreatitis, their normal and abnormal values ​​are different than in acute or remission.

Show what disease you pursue, whether it is pancreatitis, what stage: exacerbation or remission, what predictions for its cure - all questions are answered in clinical tests, additional tests and samples.

The pancreas performs one of the important functions in the system of the gastrointestinal tract, produces pancreatic juice. This substance contains digestive enzymes that ensure the breakdown of proteins in fats and carbohydrates for their further absorption by the body. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. Over the past 40 years, the incidence of this disease has increased by 2 times. How to determine pancreatitis in the laboratory?

Diagnostics

The patient is led to a doctor with suspected pancreatitis specific symptoms. If the disease is acute, the signs of pancreatitis are bright, pain syndrome   strong. In chronic disease, the symptoms are not so strong, but the malaise is constantly present.

The following symptoms indicate pancreatitis:

• Feeling of general weakness, powerlessness.
• Nausea and vomiting, which appear spontaneously, but do not bring relief.
• Pain in the abdomen, which gives back.
• Cardiopalmus.
• A change in stool, in the excrement there are remnants of undigested food.

After the visit to the doctor, anamnesis and patient's complaints about the state of health are collected. Based on the results of the examination, appropriate laboratory tests are appointed. If pancreatitis is suspected, general and biochemical blood tests are required. A urinalysis, feces analysis, radiography, saliva analysis and others may also be prescribed.

General analysis

In the general study of blood, there are a number of indicators that may indicate the development of the disease in the patient's body. Despite the generalized data, the level of leukocytes, erythrocytes and ESR is noted in the blood test. A biological sample, as a rule, is submitted immediately to general and biochemical analyzes.

This means that you should come to the laboratory on an empty stomach.

What indicators are used to diagnose pancreatitis in the general blood test:

• An elevated level of ESR and C-reactive protein indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the body. The normal ESR is 0-15 for men and 0-20 for women.
• The increase in the total number of leukocytes corresponds to the state in which the body actively produces white blood cells to combat the inflammatory process. Normally, in adult men and women, the number of leukocytes should be in the range of 4-9 × 10 9 liters.
• If pancreatitis has given a hemorrhagic complication, the level of hemoglobin and red blood cells will be reduced in the overall analysis. Normally, red blood cells are in the range of 3.9-5.5 × 10 12 in males, and 3.9-4.7 × 10 12 cells / l.
• Sometimes there is a decrease in the rate of eosinophils. This type of leukocyte is 1-5 percent of the total leukocyte mass, or 0-0, 45 × 10 9 l.

A clinical analysis of blood for pancreatitis and indicators are generalized and do not allow to establish the diagnosis. A general study is auxiliary, confirming the results of biochemistry. At the same time, the parameters studied allow us to determine the general state of health of the patient and assess the effect of the disease on the body.

Biochemistry

Biochemical research is a complex process that can contain a huge number of indicators of the parameters studied. For the diagnosis of pancreatitis are used only some of them. A blood test for an acute form of the disease is performed within a day from the moment the patient contacts the medical facility.

The following indicators need to be defined:

• Sugar level in patients with pancreatitis will be increased. This will indicate changes in the structure of the pancreas due to pancreatitis. Normally, the glucose index is within 3.9-5.8 mmol / l.
• As a result of analyzes, a significant increase in the level of enzymes that are associated with the functioning of the liver (elastase, phospholipase, trypsin, lipase) will be observed. An increase in bilirubin indicates the formation of gallstones.
• The main parameter for the diagnosis of pancreatitis in the blood test is alpha-amylase. If the indicator is 4-5 times higher than normal, the patient is diagnosed with pancreatitis. The norm for an adult is 0-50 U / l.
• Low alpha-amylase activity suggests a possible necrosis and complete disintegration of the pancreas.
• An increase in elastase-1 in a patient's biological sample indicates an acute course of the disease, as well as the development of foci of necrosis. This indicator is investigated only in modern laboratories equipped with the latest technology.
• The index of total protein is significantly reduced relative to the specified norm. For an adult, the rate is 65-85 g / l.

Analysis of urine

Urine tests are quite informative for the doctor. The biological sample is collected by patients at home on their own and delivered to the laboratory for analysis. Beforehand, the doctor will give instructions that should be followed to obtain the most reliable information on the results of the study. The following parameters of a biological sample are taken into account:

• Urine of a healthy person should be transparent. The presence of turbidity indicates the presence of pus, as a consequence of the presence of purulent inflammation inside the body.
• Normally, the color of the liquid should be light yellow. With pancreatitis and kidney diseases, the color may change to darker.
• Macho is also being tested for glucose levels. Normally, sugar should not be present in the urine, but if the analysis is positive, this indicates the development of acute pancreatitis, diabetes   or abnormalities in the kidneys.
• The appearance of hemoglobin in the urine, even in a small amountspeaks of pancreatitis, poisoning, hypothermia, or certain chronic diseases.

Stool analysis

Changing the structure of cola is one of the symptoms of pancreatitis. This type of research in the current form reflects the functional level of the pancreas. If the secretion of digestive enzymes produced by the gland is reduced, then pancreatitis can be diagnosed.

Depending on the degree of development of the disease, dysfunction of the pancreas will be expressed more and more.

When pancreatitis is observed the following manifestations:

• Persistent unpleasant smell   excrement
• Fecal poorly washed off the walls of the toilet
• Undigested food pieces present in excrement.
• Cal has a shiny surface
• Laboratory analysis reveals the presence of fat in the stool.
• When the biliary tract overlaps, the stool will have a light shade
• The urge to empty the frequent
• Loose stools

As additional methods studies can use different types of pancreatitis tests. For example, the analysis of saliva helps to identify the concentration of pancreatic enzymes. By the result of this analysis, you can find out the severity and degree of development of pancreatitis. Also this type of research greatly simplifies laboratory diagnostics   and allows you to monitor the dynamics of pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis is a serious pathological condition that can lead to serious consequences for the body. If you find specific symptoms of pancreatitis, you should immediately contact your doctor for help. Conducting laboratory tests does not take much time, but will help in time to establish the diagnosis and choose the most effective treatment.

The key to effective and adequate treatment is correct and accurate diagnosis. And the most effective method from the time of Avicenna to the present day can be called laboratory methods   research. Indicators of urine, feces, blood accurately tell the doctor where the patient has a problem, and what the size of the lesion. A blood test for pancreatitis, whose indicators are decisive, will indicate the presence of inflammation, its shape and size of the lesion.

Many diseases occur, not letting you know, pancreatitis is the most cunning of them. Symptoms of pancreatitis, especially of the chronic form, are more like signs of fatigue or overwork than serious illness of an intra secretory organ.

The anatomical features of the pancreas are such that even if the primary causes of pancreatitis are eliminated, the negative changes that already exist are not arrested, but will continue to develop and grow. The cunning of the disease lies in its asymptomatic course, as well as in the mechanism of organ damage. The main cause of the inflammatory process in pancreatitis, these or those obstacles to the release of pancreatic juice, saturated with enzymes. Not being able to go through the pancreatic ducts, they begin to eat away the tissues of the gland itself, that is, autolysis occurs. But even this is not so much dangerous for a person as the fact that all products of the inflammatory process with the blood stream and through the lymph system are distributed throughout the body, which can cause general intoxication.

Therefore, it is very important to quickly and quickly determine the type, form and stage of pancreatitis, and this can be done only by conducting a series of laboratory studies, the result of which will show the state of the pancreas, an excess or deficiency of enzymes, the functionality of the glandular cells.

When the patient complains of weakness, fatigue, weight loss and diarrhea, even if palpation does not confirm any specific syndrome that indicates pancreatitis, first of all he is given a biochemical blood test, blood for clinical studies, feces and urine analysis.

What is a complete blood count?

The main in the diagnosis of pancreatitis is, of course, biochemical analysis of blood. But always the patient is assigned to simultaneously donate blood for a general, clinical analysis. For what it is necessary, if its performance is not decisive.

As already mentioned, the products of inflammation quickly spread through the circulatory system. Even if the patient does not yet experience any discomfort, in the clinical analysis of blood the doctor will find signals about the presence of the inflammatory process and its intensity. And also find out if the patient is dehydrated, which is important against the background of intestinal upset.

The development of pancreatitis is also evidenced by such indicators as:

1. Reduced blood levels of hemoglobin and red blood cells. This is a signal that the patient may have blood loss. This picture is typical for hemorrhagic complications.
2. Significant increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate. This indicator of the analysis suggests that the pathology spreads throughout the body and inflammation becomes general.
3. Increased white blood cell count. Another indicator of blood for the presence of progressive inflammation throughout the body.
4. Hematocrit elevation. This analysis shows the ratio uniform elements   and fluids in the blood. If the analysis performance is higher than normal, it means that the patient has serious disorders of water and electrolyte balance, which indicates excessive fluid loss.

Blood for clinical analysis is taken from the finger, on an empty stomach. Results can be obtained within a few minutes if there is a special apparatus in the laboratory, or during the day if the analysis will be performed by a laboratory technician manually. No prior preparation from the patient is required, except for the observance of 6 hours of abstinence from food and beverages.

Control tests of clinical blood parameters are always done at the same time, as their level in case of pancreatitis can vary throughout the day.

The value of biochemical analysis of blood

The results of the biochemical analysis of blood are the main and decisive facts in the diagnosis. This study allows with high accuracy to establish the degree of work of each organ in the body and the size of disorders caused by inflammation.

What biochemical blood tests can show for pancreatitis will immediately tell the specialist about the size of the lesion of the cells of the pancreas, violations of intrasecretory and exocrine activity, the presence of obstacles in the biliary tract.

If you suspect pancreatitis, the doctor draws attention to the following analysis results:

A comprehensive biochemical blood test is able to give a complete picture and show the form of pancreatitis. The indicators show the presence of an acute attack of pancreatitis or a protracted course of the chronic form with pancreatitis.

Other studies

Despite the crucial importance of biochemical blood tests for pancreatitis, other tests are also assigned to confirm the diagnosis, for example:

1. Blood test for the concentration of trypsin inhibitors. A decrease in their concentration indicates the severity of damage to the tissues of the gland.
2. The presence of immunoreactive trypsin in the blood. Analyzes of this type are prescribed rather infrequently, since the presence of trypsin in serum will be not only for pancreatitis, but also for renal failure, cholecystitis.

Equally important is the analysis of other biological media. So, indicators of urine and feces with pancreatitis can give a 100% guaranteed confirmation.

The analysis of urine for quantitative content of trypsin is a highly specific and the most accurate indicator. But, unfortunately, not available to all clinics because of expensive equipment and high cost analysis.

Since the main task of the pancreas is to ensure the normal digestion of food, the analysis of feces is of great importance. According to its results, the functional capacity of the organ, the extent of the lesion in case of pancreatitis, the degree of digestion and assimilation of the incoming food are determined.

Pancreatitis Tests   - The most important stage in the diagnosis of the state of the pancreas. Diagnosis is a time consuming process. Similar symptoms cause confusion in the clinical picture. To reliably know about the health of the body, you must pass urine, feces and blood, undergo an ultrasound, etc. The article highlights key points   diagnostics: list of analyzes with decoding of results.

woman working on a microscope Eine Anwenderin sitzt an dem Mikroskop

The inflammatory process, progressing in, in many cases is accompanied by symptoms that can be easily attributed to workload, fatigue, lack of sleep. Weakness, fatigue, weight loss, malfunctions of the digestive system - all this accompanies the everyday life of the inhabitants of the metropolis, who have a snack on the fly, drink coffee on an empty stomach, rest a little and leave a lot of time on the roads.

Diagnosis of pancreatitis   includes blood tests , feces, urine. The cunning is that the gland can tolerate addictions, disregard for meals, stress, but one day “explode” and remind oneself of an acute attack. Having suppressed the strongest pains, you will never return to your former way of life. Since then, and medicines will become your eternal companions. Any discharge from the diet will result in new seizures, or even worse - severe complications.

What tests need to pass when pancreatitis   Firstly? As a rule, when visiting a specialist, the patient receives a number of referrals to a research laboratory. Depending on the results obtained, the doctor already decides whether it is necessary to do a deeper examination and repels from the individual aspects of each patient. The above tests are mandatory, and more complex studies (MRI, ultrasound, etc.) are assigned if necessary later.

Blood test for pancreatitis: indicators   and their meaning

A general blood test can suspect inflammation in the gland. However, to make a diagnosis solely from his results is wrong.

When pancreatitis in the blood test is noted:

Decreased red blood cells;

Hemoglobin decline;

Increased ESR;

The number of leukocytes overestimated many times;

Hematocrit elevation.

Blood counts for pancreatitis   change up or down. Normally, these criteria are:

Red blood cells in men - from 3.9 * 10   12 to 5.5 * 10 12, for women - 3.9 * 10 12 to 4.7 * 10 12 cells / l.

Hemoglobin in men is from 135 to 160, in women - from 120 to 140 g / l.

ESR in men - from 0 to 15, for women - from 0 to 20 mm / h.

Leukocytes in men and women - from   4 to 9 * 10 9 liter.

Hematocrit in men is from 0.44 to 0.48, for women from 0.36 to 0.43 l / l.

Clinical blood test for pancreatitis   - This is an auxiliary measure. For accurate diagnosis it can be reappointed. Naturally, attention is paid to other research methods, which will be discussed below.

Biochemical blood test for pancreatitis

The state of health of the whole organism turns out, in full view, when taking a biochemical blood test. With inflammatory process   the following indicators deviate from the norm:

Amylase Pancreas   - the pancreatic enzyme responsible for the breakdown of starch increases.

Other representatives of the enzyme group, such as trypsin, elastase, phospholipase, lipase, also increase.

Insufficient synthesis of insulin causes an increase in serum glucose.

Bilirubin changes upward from the norm if the swollen gland blocks the biliary ducts.

In some cases, transaminase increases.

Total protein is reduced.

Increased amylase   - primary signwith pancreatitis in its chronic   or acute manifestation. This enzyme contributes to the breakdown of carbohydrates. Lipase is responsible for the breakdown of fats. Trypsin and elastase are representatives of a group of proteases whose function is to cleave amino acid peptides in proteins.

Biochemistry with pancreatitis   is done within days from the day the patient is brought to a hospital with an acute attack. During hospitalization, the dynamics of amylase is studied, preventing further attacks and complications. This is prompted to the doctor by her continued increase, coupled with the strongest pain.

What tests pass for pancreatitis and cholecystitis   still?

The doctor may recommend to pass other tests, for example, the determination of serum immunoreactive trypsin. Only in 4 out of 10 cases a positive result will indicate a pancreatic lesion. In others, the violations affected other organs (renal failure, cholecystitis, hypercortisolism, etc.). Blood concentration of trypsin inhibitors - anotherblood test for pancreatitis ,   which shows the degree of dysfunction of the gland. The smaller the number of inhibitors, the less favorable the prognosis.

Urinalysis for pancreatitis   rarely prescribed because of its value. Informative is not common, but one that determines the presence of trypsinogen in the urine. Trypsinogen is a proferment that is an inactive form of trypsin. Its content in the urine reliably confirms the inflammatory process.

Malfunctions of the digestive system will certainly affect the stool, so they resort to testing for feces. Attention is paid to such criteria as:

Whether fat is present in feces;

What is its color;

Do not have overcooked food fragments.

All this indicates a problem in the digestive system, and discolored stools means that the biliary tract is blocked. With inflammation, the stool is poorly washed from the toilet. Due to the excess fat has a shiny surface. Its consistency is fluid, the urge to defecate frequent. Defecation is accompanied by a sharp and unpleasant smell.

Now you know,how to determine pancreatitis by analysis. However, it is better to provide this duty to your doctor, who, having professionalism and medical knowledge, will not only make the correct diagnosis, but also correctly draw up a treatment regimen.