In order to accurately establish the patient's chronic pancreatitis along with ultrasound, radiography and computed tomography, conduct tests of blood, urine and feces. In the course of the disease, their results show the effectiveness of the chosen treatment technique and changes in the enzymatic function of the gland.
A general blood test for chronic pancreatitis shows increased ESR or signs of leukocytosis with a left-sided shift in the formula. In extremely rare cases, the results of a collection study will show anemia or eosinophilia. It is the results of the general blood collection, carried out in dynamics, that will speak about exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis.
In urine, analysis often reveals alpha-amylase and bilirubin. The first is characteristic for the period of exacerbation, the second - with the development of jaundice.
During the exacerbation of the disease, the biochemistry of the blood will show:
- A decreased level of blood proteins. Increased globulin content leads to a change in the ratio of proteins.
- At the onset of an exacerbation, the analysis shows an increase in the level of alpha-amylase and normalization of the level by the end of the week of the course of the disease.
- Increased activity of trypsin and lipase.
- With icteric form, bilirubin in the blood rises.
- On the violation of the patency of the biliary tract is indicated by the increase in GGT and alkaline phosphatase.
- Concomitant disturbance of the intestinal absorption function or the onset of the development of liver cirrhosis, low levels of coagulation factors and albumin will tell in the analyzes.
- Malabsorption. There will be a decreased content of calcium in the collection of blood.
- With a sclerosing form, the glucose level rises.
- Another sign of chronic pancreatitis on biochemical blood analysis will be high indices of medium-molecular peptides, seromucoid, sialic acids and gamma globulins.
Fecal analysis for chronic pancreatitis shows the excretory function of the gland. Usually feces with a worsening disease has a mushy consistency, and on a microscopic examination, its contents contain fatty acids, neutral fats, undigested fiber.
If chronic pancreatitis occurs in severe form, diagnostic tests are performed:
- somatostatin;
- glucagon;
- insulin;
- pancreatic polypeptidase.
In addition to the above, another indicator of pancreatic function is the glycoamylase assay, which shows the level of alpha-amylase activity after carrying out glucose loading.