Pancreas function tests
The pancreas has two main functions, exocrine and endocrine. The pancreas produces digestive enzymes, which break down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, and synthesizes hormones, insulin and glucagon, which control the glucose level in the blood.
Pancreas function tests help detect pancreas malfunction. The main symptom of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency is oily diarrhoea, as fats are not fully digested. If the patient has inflammation of the pancreas, it is important to measure the activity of pancreatic digestive enzymes in the blood. In acute pancreatitis, amylase and lipase blood concentration increase. Whereas in chronic pancreatitis, even when it gets severe, the levels of amylase and lipase may stay the same. Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency is diagnosed with the faecal pancreatic elastase-1 test. Elastase-1 is an enzyme produced in the pancreas, it travels through the digestive tract with food and is found in the stool. A decline of the enzyme concentration level is indicative of pancreatic insufficiency.
We recommend undergoing pancreatic enzyme tests if:
- you have diabetes (insulin secretion is impaired or absent);
- someone in your family has had pancreatic diseases;
- you drink a lot of alcohol;
- you take medication which negatively affects pancreas function;
- you have cholelithiasis;
- you have duodenitis;
- you have had viral or bacterial infections (mumps, flu, etc.);
- you have high cholesterol;
- you have hormone disorders;
- you have changes in electrolyte levels;
- you are over 45 years old.
It is important to remember that diagnosed in time, pancreas disorders can be successfully treated, and early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer significantly increases the chance of survival and improves the patient’s quality of life.
You do not have to schedule an appointment in advance, you can simply check in at reception and request to be tested.
Pancreas function tests price
What factors affect the price?
The prices indicated below apply to citizens of the Republic of Lithuania and the European Union.
If you are coming from another country please check the price by telephoning or sending an email.
Why it is worth
To be examined at our Centre?
- Your tests will be properly performed. The quality of our lab services has been acknowledged with our ISO 15189 accreditation.
- Our lab technicians will comment on the test results. Few labs in the country provide this service.
- We can do additional pancreas tests, if needed, from the same blood sample taken up to 7 days ago. This is especially relevant for children or patients living in other towns!
- There is no risk of damaging or mixing up test samples in transportation, which statistically is one of the leading causes for ruined blood samples in labs.
Good to know
What are the typical symptoms of pancreas malfunction?
The most common symptoms are the following:
- fever
- weight loss
- stomach ache
- oily foul-smelling stool
- severe upper abdominal or lower chest pain that radiates to the back
- sickness, vomiting
- diarrhoea
- bloating
- thirst (in the case of diabetes)
- frequent urination (in the case of diabetes)
If you have one or some of these symptoms for more than a few weeks with no obvious reason, we recommend making an appointment and having the tests.
How will I get my test results?
- The report with the test results is usually prepared in 1 day. It can be picked up at the reception or we can send it via email at your request.
- Unsure how to interpret the results? Call the lab, phone: (8 5) 247 64 17.