In alcohol use, which pancreatic enzymes may be elevated?

• A. Amylase only
• B. Lipase only
• C. Amylase and Lipase
• D. Lipase and Trypsin

Answer: (C)

Pancreatic injury from alcohol can cause enzymes to leak into the blood, and the two most commonly elevated markers are amylase and lipase. Amylase tends to rise early, while lipase rises a bit later but remains elevated longer and is more specific to pancreatic damage. Because alcohol-related pancreatitis can affect the pancreas enough to raise either or both enzymes, the best answer is that both amylase and lipase may be elevated.

Other options aren’t as accurate because lipase alone misses the possibility of amylase elevation, and amylase alone misses the more specific signal that lipase provides. Lipase with trypsin isn’t the typical pattern used clinically, since trypsin isn’t a standard diagnostic marker for pancreatitis like amylase and lipase are.