Differential Diagnosis for Mildly Elevated Amylase and Lipase with Mildly Decreased Albumin
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Pancreatitis: This is the most likely diagnosis given the elevated amylase and lipase levels, which are enzymes produced by the pancreas. Mildly decreased albumin can occur due to inflammation and pancreatic insufficiency.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Chronic Pancreatitis: Similar to acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis can cause elevated pancreatic enzymes and decreased albumin due to malabsorption and chronic inflammation.
- Pancreatic Cancer: Although less common, pancreatic cancer can cause elevated amylase and lipase levels, as well as decreased albumin due to malnutrition and tumor effects.
- Hypertriglyceridemia: Extremely high triglyceride levels can cause elevated amylase and lipase levels, and decreased albumin can occur due to liver dysfunction or malnutrition.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Acute Pancreatitis with Hypocalcemia: Although not directly related to albumin, hypocalcemia can occur in severe pancreatitis and is crucial to identify and treat promptly.
- Pancreatic Pseudocyst: A complication of pancreatitis, pancreatic pseudocysts can cause abdominal pain, elevated pancreatic enzymes, and decreased albumin due to malabsorption and inflammation.
- Liver Disease (e.g., Cirrhosis): Liver disease can cause decreased albumin production, and some liver conditions (e.g., bile duct obstruction) can also cause elevated pancreatic enzymes.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Macrolipasemia: A rare condition characterized by elevated lipase levels due to the formation of lipase-antibody complexes, which can also cause decreased albumin levels.
- Pancreatic Hydatid Cyst: A rare parasitic infection that can cause pancreatic enzyme elevation and decreased albumin due to malabsorption and inflammation.
- Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome: A rare genetic disorder that affects the pancreas, bone marrow, and skeleton, causing pancreatic insufficiency, elevated pancreatic enzymes, and decreased albumin levels.