Which enzyme is typically elevated within the first 3 to 6 hours after onset of acute pancreatitis?

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Multiple Choice

Which enzyme is typically elevated within the first 3 to 6 hours after onset of acute pancreatitis?

Explanation:
Lipase is the enzyme that rises earliest in acute pancreatitis. It typically becomes elevated within a few hours after onset, often by the 4–6 hour mark, and remains elevated longer than amylase. Amylase tends to rise a bit later—usually within 6–12 hours—so in the 3–6 hour window it may not yet be elevated. ALT and AST are liver enzymes and are not the early indicators used to diagnose pancreatitis. So, in the initial hours after onset, lipase is the best indicator among these options.

Lipase is the enzyme that rises earliest in acute pancreatitis. It typically becomes elevated within a few hours after onset, often by the 4–6 hour mark, and remains elevated longer than amylase. Amylase tends to rise a bit later—usually within 6–12 hours—so in the 3–6 hour window it may not yet be elevated. ALT and AST are liver enzymes and are not the early indicators used to diagnose pancreatitis. So, in the initial hours after onset, lipase is the best indicator among these options.

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