Amylase - blood
Pancreatitis - blood amylaseAmylase is an enzyme that helps digest carbohydrates. It is made in the pancreas and the glands that make saliva. When the pancreas is diseased or inflamed, amylase releases into the blood.
Enzyme
Enzymes are complex proteins that cause a specific chemical change in all parts of the body. For example, they can help break down the foods we eat ...
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 an amylase urine test.
Amylase urine 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. The health care provider may ask you to stop taking drugs that may affect the test. DO NOT stop taking any medicines without first talking to your provider.
Drugs 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.
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 improve, gets worse over time, and lead...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Pancreatic pseudocyst
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...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article
Normal Results
The normal range is 40 to 140 units per liter (U/L) or 0.38 to 1.42 microkat/L (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
Acute pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is sudden swelling and inflammation of the pancreas.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - 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 - Gallbladder attack caused by disease
- Gastroenteritis (severe)
- Infection of the salivary glands (such as mumps) or a blockage
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.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Perforated ulcer
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...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Tubal pregnancy (may have burst open)
Tubal pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that occurs outside the womb (uterus). It may be fatal to the mother.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article
Decreased amylase level may occur due to:
- Cancer of the pancreas
- Damage to the pancreas with pancreatic scarring
- Kidney disease
- Toxemia of pregnancy
Toxemia of pregnancy
Preeclampsia is high blood pressure and signs of liver or kidney damage that occur in women after the 20th week of pregnancy. While rare, preeclamps...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article
Risks
Slight risks from having blood drawn may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling lightheaded
- Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
References
Crockett SD, Wani S, Gardner TB, Falck-Ytter Y, Barkun AN; American Gastroenterological Association Institute Clinical Guidelines Committee. American Gastroenterological Association Institute guideline on initial management of acute pancreatitis. Gastroenterology. 2018;154(4):1096-1101. PMID: 29409760 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29409760.
Forsmark CE. Pancreatitis. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 144.
Meisenberg G, Simmons WH. Digestive enzymes. In: Meisesnberg G, Simmons WH, eds. Principles of Medical Biochemistry. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 20.
Tenner S, Steinberg WM. Acute pancreatitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016: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: 1/26/2019
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.