Amylase - blood
Pancreatitis - blood amylaseAmylase is an enzyme that helps digest carbohydrates. It is made primarily in the pancreas and the glands that make saliva, and can be found at low levels in other parts of the body. When the pancreas is diseased or inflamed, it releases increased amounts of amylase into the blood.
Enzyme
Enzymes are complex proteins that cause a specific chemical change. For example, they can help break down the foods we eat so the body can use them....
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleA test can be done to measure the level of this enzyme in your blood.
Amylase may also be measured with a urine amylase test.
Urine amylase test
This is a test that measures the amount of amylase in urine. Amylase is an enzyme that helps digest carbohydrates. It is produced mainly in the pan...
How the Test is Performed
A blood sample is taken from a vein.
Blood sample
Venipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein. It is most often done for laboratory testing.
How to Prepare for the Test
No special preparation is needed. However, you should avoid alcohol before the test. Your health care provider may ask you to stop taking medicines that may affect the test. Do not stop taking any medicines without first talking to your provider.
Medicines that can increase amylase measurements include:
- Asparaginase
- Aspirin
- Birth control pills
- Cholinergic medicines
- Ethacrynic acid
- Methyldopa
- Opiates (codeine, meperidine, and morphine)
- Thiazide diuretics
How the Test will Feel
You may feel slight pain or a sting when the needle is inserted to draw blood. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the Test is Performed
This test is most often used to diagnose or monitor acute pancreatitis. It may also detect some digestive tract problems or salivary gland inflammation.
Acute pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is sudden swelling and inflammation of the pancreas.
The test may also be done for the following conditions:
- Chronic pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is swelling of the pancreas. Chronic pancreatitis is present when this problem does not heal or recurs and does not improve, gets worse...
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Pancreatic pseudocyst
A pancreatic pseudocyst is a fluid-filled sac in the abdomen that arises from the pancreas. It may also contain tissue from the pancreas, enzymes, a...
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Normal Results
The normal range is 40 to 140 units per liter (U/L) or 0.67 to 2.34 micro-katal/liter (µkat/L).
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some laboratories use different measurement methods. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
Increased blood amylase level may occur due to:
- Acute pancreatitis
- Cancer of the pancreas, ovaries, or lungs
Cancer of the pancreas
Pancreatic cancer is cancer that starts in the pancreas.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Cholecystitis
Cholecystitis
Acute cholecystitis is sudden swelling and irritation of the gallbladder. It causes severe belly pain.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Infection of the salivary glands (such as mumps) or a blockage of the salivary gland duct
Mumps
Mumps is a contagious disease that leads to painful swelling of the salivary glands. The salivary glands produce saliva, a liquid that moistens food...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Intestinal blockage
Intestinal blockage
Intestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of the bowel. The contents of the intestine cannot pass through it.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Macroamylasemia
Macroamylasemia
Macroamylasemia is the presence of an abnormal substance called macroamylase in the blood.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Pancreatic or bile duct blockage
Bile duct blockage
Bile duct obstruction is a blockage in the tubes that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine.
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Perforated ulcer
A peptic ulcer is an open sore or raw area in the lining of the stomach or intestine. There are two types of peptic ulcers:Gastric ulcer -- occurs in...
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Tubal pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that occurs outside the womb (uterus).
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Decreased amylase level may occur due to:
- Bone fracture
Bone fracture
If more pressure is put on a bone than it can stand, it will split or break. A break of any size is called a fracture. If the broken bone punctures...
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Congestive heart failure
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body efficiently. This causes symptom...
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- Gastrointestinal cancer
- Pregnancy
Risks
Slight risks from having blood drawn may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling lightheaded
- Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
Hematoma
A bruise is an area of skin discoloration. A bruise occurs when small blood vessels break and leak their contents into the soft tissue beneath the s...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
References
Forsmark CE. Pancreatitis. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 135.
Siddiqi HA, Rabinowitz S, Axiotis CA. Laboratory diagnosis of gastrointestinal and pancreatic disorders. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 23.
Tenner S, Vege SS, Sheth SG, et al. American College of Gastroenterology Guidelines: Management of acute pancreatitis. Am J Gastro 2024;119(3):419-437. PMID: 38857482 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38857482/.
Vege SS. Acute pancreatitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 58.
Blood test - illustration
Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.
Blood test
illustration
Blood test - illustration
Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.
Blood test
illustration
Review Date: 1/1/2025
Reviewed By: Frank D. Brodkey, MD, FCCM, Associate Professor, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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