Laboratory findings in pancreatitis include all of the following EXCEPT which?

Laboratory findings in pancreatitis include all of the following EXCEPT which?

• A. Increased cortisol
• B. Increased amylase
• C. Increased lipase
• D. Increased triglycerides

Answer: (A)

Pancreatitis causes leakage of pancreatic enzymes into the bloodstream, so the most reliable lab clues are increases in amylase and lipase. Amylase rises early, but lipase is more specific to the pancreas and tends to stay elevated longer, making it the preferred marker for pancreatitis. Elevated triglycerides can also be seen, especially when hyperlipidemia is the underlying cause or a contributing factor. Increased cortisol is not a typical or diagnostic finding in pancreatitis; while cortisol may rise with stress, it’s not used to identify or confirm pancreatitis. So the unexpected or noncharacteristic result here is an elevated cortisol level.

Pancreatitis causes leakage of pancreatic enzymes into the bloodstream, so the most reliable lab clues are increases in amylase and lipase. Amylase rises early, but lipase is more specific to the pancreas and tends to stay elevated longer, making it the preferred marker for pancreatitis. Elevated triglycerides can also be seen, especially when hyperlipidemia is the underlying cause or a contributing factor. Increased cortisol is not a typical or diagnostic finding in pancreatitis; while cortisol may rise with stress, it’s not used to identify or confirm pancreatitis. So the unexpected or noncharacteristic result here is an elevated cortisol level.