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Showing posts with the label Serum Amylase

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 certai

Serum Amylase

Serum Amylase  40 to 140 units per liter (U/L)  Amylase 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. Normal Results The normal range is 40 to 140 units per litre (U/L) or 0.38 to 1.42 microkat/L (µkat/L). What Abnormal Results Mean Increased blood amylase levels may occur due to: Acute pancreatitis Cancer of the pancreas, ovaries, or lungs Cholecystitis Infection of the salivary glands (such as mumps) or a blockage of the salivary gland duct Intestinal blockage Macroamylasemia Pancreatic or bile duct blockage Perforated ulcer Tubal pregnancy (may have burst open) Viral hepatitis Decreased amylase level may occur due to: Bone fracture Congestive heart failure Damage to the pancreas with pancreatic scarring Gastrointestinal cancer Pregnancy. Veins Veins have valv