I had a very level of lipase when I began exhibiting early signs of pancreatic issues. In a metabolic panel blood draw six weeks ago my Lipase was 2256 U/L. Normal range is 7-60 U/l. Presumably this very high level was caused by the occlusion (blockage) of my distal common bile duct caused by the presence of a small tumor at the head of my pancreas that impinged on common bile duct. Not much bile or enzymes were getting delivered into the duodenum. Hope this helps.