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Multiple Choice

In pancreatitis, which enzymes are typically elevated?

Pancreatic injury in pancreatitis raises digestive enzymes in the blood, notably amylase and lipase. Amylase, produced by the pancreas and salivary glands, typically rises early and peaks within about a day, returning to normal in a few days. Lipase is more specific to the pancreas and tends to stay elevated longer, often for a week or more. Because both enzymes are commonly elevated in pancreatitis, their simultaneous rise provides the strongest enzymatic signature. ALT and AST are liver enzymes and are not the usual indicators of pancreatitis (though they may be mildly raised if biliary obstruction or liver involvement is present).

Pancreatic injury in pancreatitis raises digestive enzymes in the blood, notably amylase and lipase. Amylase, produced by the pancreas and salivary glands, typically rises early and peaks within about a day, returning to normal in a few days. Lipase is more specific to the pancreas and tends to stay elevated longer, often for a week or more. Because both enzymes are commonly elevated in pancreatitis, their simultaneous rise provides the strongest enzymatic signature. ALT and AST are liver enzymes and are not the usual indicators of pancreatitis (though they may be mildly raised if biliary obstruction or liver involvement is present).