The level of lipase in the blood can indicate whether there is a problem with the pancreas or other organs. Lipase is an enzyme that helps the body digest fats and is made by the pancreas. The normal range for adults younger than 60 is 10 to 140 U/L, while for adults ages 60 and older, it is 24 to 151 U/L. If a persons lipase levels are very high, often 3–10 times the reference value, this can indicate acute pancreatitis. Lipase levels of 1000 units/l or higher after ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) have a specificity of only 55% for pancreatitis. A lipase test may be used to diagnose diseases of the pancreas, especially acute pancreatitis, and to check if treatment for pancreatic diseases is working. A high lipase level indicates the presence of conditions affecting the pancreas, such as acute pancreatitis, gallstones, and other conditions. Other conditions associated with high lipase levels include blockages in the pancreas, peptic ulcers, kidney disease, and gastroenteritis. A fatal outcome in acute pancreatitis may be predicted by simple laboratory parameters such as a high serum creatinine and blood glucose, an APACHE II score > or = 6, and a lipase level on admission > or = 1,000 U/l.