What's this test for?

This test is ideal if you're recovering from abdominal surgery and have a Jackson Pratt (JP) drain in place, especially if your care team suspects a pancreatic complication. It measures lipase activity in the fluid collected from the drain, which can help identify leakage of pancreatic fluid or inflammation near the pancreas. It's often used when someone has had surgery near the pancreas and is being monitored for signs of a pancreatic leak or pancreatitis.

What happens after I get my results?

Your results will show up in your account with the lipase level clearly explained alongside its normal range. If the value is elevated, next steps usually involve continued monitoring of the drain output and follow-up testing to see if the level is trending up or down. You can download a standard lab report directly from your account at any time, and the trends feature lets you track how your lipase levels change over subsequent tests. If a result looks unusually high or you notice symptoms like abdominal pain, fever, or increased drain output, seek medical care promptly.

Who should consider this test?

This test is generally used for people who currently have a JP drain placed after abdominal or pancreatic surgery. It's most relevant if there's concern about a pancreatic fluid leak or if drain output has changed in color, amount, or consistency. People without a JP drain in place would not typically need this specific test.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

If you have a JP drain and notice increased fluid output, cloudy or unusual-looking drainage, abdominal pain, swelling, fever, or nausea, this test may help clarify what's going on. Changes in the color or smell of the drain fluid are also worth flagging. These signs can point to a possible pancreatic leak or complication that this test is designed to help detect.

When will I get my results?

Results are typically ready within about 7 days of your sample being processed at the lab. You'll receive a notification once your results are posted to your account, where you can view the lipase value and what it means. If your situation is urgent, don't wait for results to seek care if symptoms worsen.

What is lipase and why does it matter?

Lipase is an enzyme made mainly by the pancreas that helps your body break down fats during digestion. When the pancreas is irritated, inflamed, or leaking fluid after surgery, lipase can leak into surrounding areas or drains at much higher levels than normal. Measuring lipase in JP drain fluid gives a direct look at what's happening near the surgical site, which is more specific than a blood lipase test alone.

What does high lipase in the drain fluid mean?

A high lipase level in JP drain fluid usually suggests that pancreatic fluid is leaking into the drain, which can happen after surgery near the pancreas. This doesn't automatically mean something is seriously wrong, but it does mean it's worth monitoring closely and possibly repeating the test. Watching for symptoms like pain, fever, or changes in drain output alongside the lab value gives the fullest picture.

What causes elevated lipase in JP drain fluid?

The most common cause is a pancreatic fluid leak following abdominal or pancreatic surgery, where digestive enzymes escape from damaged tissue into the drain. Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) near the surgical area can also raise lipase levels in the fluid. Less commonly, irritation from the drain itself or nearby tissue healing can contribute to elevated readings.

How often should I retest?

Retesting frequency depends on your recovery and how your drain output is behaving, but it's common to recheck every few days while a JP drain remains in place and levels are elevated. Once lipase trends downward and drain output decreases, testing is often spaced out or stopped as the drain is removed. Tracking results over time in your account can help you and your care team see whether things are improving.

What should I do if my results are abnormal?

If your lipase level comes back high, keep an eye on your drain output, any pain, fever, or changes in how you feel, and plan to retest as recommended to track the trend. Staying hydrated, resting, and following any post-surgical care instructions can support healing. If you develop worsening pain, high fever, or a rapid increase in drain output, seek medical care right away rather than waiting for another test.

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short: In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy! If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

How do I know which test to get?

In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option. Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

When will my lab results be available?

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know. After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop! If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you. Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you. There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out. Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Do you accept health insurance?

Only HSA & FSA is accepted. Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts. This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Can I cancel my order?

Yes. We get it – sometimes your needs change. As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order. If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com. You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

How can I find a lab location near me?

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp). Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

JP Drain Lipase Test - Pancreatic Leak Detection

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:

In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!

754-799-7833

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