What lab results are critical for diagnosing pancreatitis?

The critical lab results for diagnosing pancreatitis involve measuring the levels of amylase and lipase. Both of these enzymes are produced by the pancreas and are released into the bloodstream when the pancreas is inflamed. Elevated levels of amylase and especially lipase are thus indicative of pancreatitis. Lipase, in particular, is more specific to pancreatic inflammation and tends to remain elevated longer than amylase, making it a more reliable marker for diagnosing pancreatitis.

Other lab results, such as elevated calcium and bilirubin, while they may be observed in certain conditions, are not specific for pancreatitis. Elevated liver enzymes can indicate liver dysfunction but do not directly reflect pancreatic inflammation. A complete blood count may show signs of inflammation like increased white blood cell counts but lacks specificity for diagnosing pancreatitis. Thus, amylase and lipase levels are the primary and most critical laboratory tests for confirming a diagnosis of pancreatitis.