Triglycerides; Severely elevated (at least >500 mg/dL, generally >1,000 mg/dL)
Lipids in serum may interfere with other lab tests
Falsely low Na+, amylase
Lipids in serum may interfere with other lab tests
Falsely low Na+, amylase
Falsely low Na+, amylase
Rule out other causes of pancreatitis (e.g. gallstone pancreatitis)
In general, if triglycerides >1000, can assume this is cause of pancreatitis
Lipase level >3x upper limit of normal
Sensitivity 82-100%, specificity 82-100%
Negative lipase does not exclude pancreatitis in chronic/recurrent disease
Absolute value not associated with prognosis or severity
Characteristic findings on ultrasound or CT
Sensitivity 82-100%, specificity 82-100%
Negative lipase does not exclude pancreatitis in chronic/recurrent disease
Absolute value not associated with prognosis or severity
Hypertriglyceridemia
Gastroesophageal reflux disease 
Polycythemia
Peptic ulcer disease with or without perforation
Lactic acidosis
Gastritis
Ketonemia
Pancreatitis