Amylase

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Related tests: Lipase

At a Glance

Why Get Tested?

To diagnose pancreatitis

When to Get Tested?

If you have symptoms of a pancreatic disorder, such as severe abdominal pain, fever, loss of appetite or nausea

Sample Required?

A blood sample drawn from a vein in the arm

The Test Sample

What is being tested?

Amylase is an enzyme made mainly by the pancreas. It is released from the pancreas into the digestive tract to help digest starch in our food.

How is the sample collected for testing?

A blood sample is taken by needle from a vein in the arm.

The Test

How is it used?

The blood test for amylase is used to diagnose acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). The swift rise of amylase at the beginning of a pancreatitis attack, and its fall after about 2 days, helps to pinpoint this diagnosis.

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When is it requested?

An amylase test may be ordered if you show symptoms of a pancreatic disorder, such as severe abdominal pain, fever, loss of appetite, or nausea.

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What does the test result mean?

Looking for reference ranges?

In pancreatitis, a severe inflammation of the pancreas, amylase levels are very high, often 5-10 times normal. Smaller elevations in amylase levels may also be seen in other causes of abdominal pain such as, gallbladder disease, a perforated ulcer, obstruction of the intestinal tract or diabetic ketoacidosis.

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Is there anything else I should know?

In acute pancreatitis, elevated amylase levels usually parallel levels of another enzyme called lipase. Both amylase and lipase are sometimes ordered together to diagnose acute pancreatitis.

Chronic (long-term) pancreatitis is often associated with alcoholism. Amylase levels may be moderately elevated with chronic pancreatitis or may be decreased when the cells that produce amylase in the pancreas become damaged or destroyed.

Rarely an unusual large form of amylase which is not cleared by the kidneys (macro-amylase) is found and this may cause persistent elevations of amylase levels without any symptoms.

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Common Questions

1.  What are the treatment options for pancreatitis?

Treatment depends upon the symptoms. If they are absent or mild, there may be no treatment; if they are more severe, your doctor may suggest 'resting the pancreas' using a range of options, from not eating solid foods to fasting combined with intravenous (IV) fluid replacement for several days to a few weeks (usually requiring admission into hospital). This use of medicines and surgery may also be considered for patients with severe symptoms. Sometimes you may need pain management medicines. Nutritional support, such as low-fat diets and frequent small meals, may help relieve symptoms. Oral pancreatic enzyme replacement is another possible choice.

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2.  Can medications that I am taking affect the amylase level?

Yes. A variety of drugs have been reported to cause moderate elevations in amylase levels.

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3.  How does amylase work?

Amylase is an enzyme found in plants and animals. It is found in pancreatic fluids in the small intestine, where it digests a variety of sugars and starches. When the pancreas is diseased or inflamed, amylase escapes into the blood.

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NOTE: This article is based on research that utilizes the sources cited here as well as the collective experience of the Lab Tests Online Editorial Review Board. This article is periodically reviewed by the Editorial Board and may be updated as a result of the review. Any new sources cited will be added to the list and distinguished from the original sources used.