Amylase Test What is an Amylase Test?

What is an Amylase Test?

An amylase test measures the amount of amylase in your blood or urine. Amylase is an enzyme, or special protein, that helps digest carbohydrates. Most of the amylase in the body is made by the pancreas and salivary glands.

A small amount of amylase in your blood and urine is normal. But having too much or too little may be a sign of a disorder of the pancreas or salivary glands, or another medical condition.

Other names: Amy test, serum amylase, urine amylase

What is it used for?

Tests for amylase in blood or urine are mainly used to diagnose problems with your pancreas, including pancreatitis. It is also used to monitor chronic pancreatitis.

Increases and decreases in amylase levels show up in blood before urine, so an amylase urine test may be done after an amylase blood test.

One or both types of amylase test may also be used to help diagnose or monitor treatment for other disorders that may affect amylase levels, such as salivary gland disorders and certain digestive conditions

The normal range for amylase in a blood sample for an adult is 30 to 110 units per litre (U/L)

Let’s dive deeper into each aspect of the amylase test:

*1. **Understanding Amylase*
- *Function*: Amylase breaks down complex carbohydrates into simpler sugars like maltose and dextrin, aiding in digestion.
- *Types*:
- *Salivary Amylase* (also called ptyalin): Produced by the salivary glands and starts digestion in the mouth.
- *Pancreatic Amylase*: Produced by the pancreas and released into the small intestine.

*2. **Indications for the Amylase Test*
- *Acute Pancreatitis*: Inflammation of the pancreas often results in a rapid increase in amylase levels. This increase typically occurs within hours of the onset of pain.
- *Chronic Pancreatitis*: Long-term inflammation may lead to consistently high amylase levels or fluctuating levels.
- *Pancreatic Cancer*: Abnormal levels may suggest a tumour obstructing pancreatic ducts.
- *Salivary Gland Disorders*: Conditions like mumps or infections affecting the salivary glands can elevate salivary amylase.
- *Abdominal Pain*: Helps determine if pain might be related to a pancreatic or salivary gland issue.

*3. **Test Procedure and Preparation*
- *Blood Amylase Test*:
- *Preparation*: Fasting for at least 8 hours may be required to avoid interference from recent food intake.
- *Procedure*: A healthcare provider draws blood from a vein, usually in the arm. The sample is then analyzed in a lab.
- *Urine Amylase Test*:
- *Preparation*: Collect urine over 24 hours, starting with an empty bladder in the morning.
- *Procedure*: Use a special container provided by the lab to collect urine. The sample is then analyzed to measure amylase concentration.

*4. **Understanding Results*
- *Normal Ranges*: These vary by lab, but typically:
- *Blood Amylase*: 30-110 units per liter (U/L)
- *Urine Amylase*: 1-25 units per hour (U/hr)
- *High Amylase Levels*:
- *Acute Pancreatitis*: Levels can increase 3-5 times the normal range within hours.
- *Chronic Pancreatitis*: May show consistently elevated levels.
- *Pancreatic Cancer*: Elevated levels may indicate obstruction or disease.
- *Other Conditions*: Such as salivary gland inflammation or perforated ulcers.
- *Low Amylase Levels*:
- *Severe Liver Disease*: Liver damage can reduce amylase production.
- *Pancreatic Damage*: Conditions that impair pancreatic function.

*5. **Interpreting Results*
- *Comprehensive Analysis*: High or low amylase levels are not diagnostic on their own. They need to be interpreted in conjunction with other tests and clinical findings.
- *Additional Tests*: To confirm a diagnosis, further tests like imaging studies (CT scan, MRI) or additional blood tests might be necessary.

*6. **Limitations of the Amylase Test*
- *Non-Specific*: High amylase levels can be caused by conditions unrelated to the pancreas.
- *Other Factors*: Medications, recent eating, or certain medical conditions can affect results.

*7. **Follow-Up*
- *Diagnosis and Treatment*: If abnormal results are found, your healthcare provider will suggest appropriate treatment or further diagnostic steps based on the underlying condition.

Inputs Courtesy: ENT Specialist Doctor with 41 years of experience. He can be reached only by WhatsApp messages at 9243301223.

When Punjab Chief Minister's Son Was Paraded On Underwear

Year, 1959, Place Amritsar. Some Indian Army Officers & their wives went to the Railway Station to see off one of their colleagues. Some goons made lewd remarks against the women & tried to molest them. The Army Officers chased the goons who took shelter in a nearby Cinema Theatre. The matter was reported to Commanding Officer Col Jyothi Mohan Sen. On learning about the incident, the Col ordered the Cinema Hall to be surrounded by troops. All the goons were dragged out, the leader of the goons was so heady and drunk with power; he was none other than the son of Chief Minister of Punjab, Pratap Singh Kairon, a close associate of the then PM, Jawahar Lal Nehru. All the goons were stripped to their underwear, paraded in the streets of Amritsar & later interned in the Cantonment. The next day, the Chief Minister became furious & tried to release his son from Indian Army's incarceration. Do you know what happened? His vehicle was not allowed to go into the Cantonment a...

Basavanna: Equality, Humanity and Human Rights

Bengaluru: Akshaya Trutiya is the birthday of Lord Basaveshwara or Basavanna, the 12th-century revolutionary poet and religious reformer who rebelled against all blind beliefs, practices and rituals of Hinduism. It also goes to his credit of bringing God to one’s palms while simultaneously and vehemently opposing the tradition of visiting temples and places of pilgrimages in search of the almighty. Interestingly, unfortunately, or sadly what his followers or disciples have been doing all along would be another separate topic for discussion and better to forget for the time being. A Hindu Protestant: Dr Godwin Shiri, former Director of Christian Institute For The Study Of Religion And Society (CISRS), Bengaluru, during an informal interaction, opined-“Basavanna can be aptly described as a Hindu Protestant as he was in the forefront of opposing blind beliefs”. Influenced by Buddha: Mallikarjun G Kelagade, former Director of the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) kee...

Dharwad's Arya Durga, Rukmini and Saraswati...: From Nothing to Crores and Crores...

Bengaluru: Arya Durga Kirani Stores, with Rukmini and Saraswati outlets, are household names for all those residing in and natives of Dharwad. It was a humble and austere beginning, dating back a few decades, thanks to hard work, sincerity, and trustworthy behaviour with customers, the business flourished and grew in leaps and bounds in an unimaginable proportion. Started working at the age of eight years! The owner, late Gajanan Vitthal Shetti, was primarily from Ankola in the North Canara (Karwar) district. Ankola, a coastal town, is renowned for its Salt Satyagraha during the freedom struggle movement. The financial condition of Shetti's family was too critical, making it too difficult to meet even the basic demands of day-to-day life. He began working at a ration shop while he was only eight years of age and continued working until he became 15 years old. Mahalakshmi Hotel boomerangs: Then Gajanan Vitthal Shetti came to Hubballi to do business. He came with his father, Vitth...

MY Articles

Search This Blog