Amylase Test
Amylase Test
Amylase is an enzyme produced by the pancreas or salivary glands that helps break down the carbohydrates that you eat.
An amylase test is a simple blood test that measures the amount of amylase present in your blood. Any abnormalities in the levels of amylase may indicate some underlying medication condition such as pancreatitis.
Other names of amylase test: Amy test, urine amylase, serum amylase
Symptoms of pancreatic disorder
Your healthcare provider will recommend an amylase blood test if you show symptoms of a pancreatic disorder. They include:
Abdominal pain (belly) (increases after eating)
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Fever
Fast heartbeat
Jaundice
Greasy, foul-smelling poop
Who should get tested?
An amylase test is indicated if you have
Pancreatic disorders, such as chronic pancreatitis
Pancreatic cancer
Eating disorders
Cystic fibrosis
Chronic alcoholism
Gallstone removal surgery (recently underwent)
Test preparation:
Before taking an amylase blood test, you are required to fast (not eat or drink anything) for about two hours. Moreover, if you are a chronic alcoholic, you are advised not to consume alcohol for 24 hours before taking this test.
Please tell your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications such as aspirin, corticosteroids, diuretics, indomethacin, opioids, etc., before taking this test
Interpretation of results
The results are given out as low, normal, or high based on the reference normal range of amylase in the body.
Normal ranges: 30 – 110 U/L (units per litre)
Deviations from the normal ranges indicate:
·      If your test results show abnormal levels of amylase in it, it may indicate an underlying health condition. Your healthcare provider will help you understand the exact reason behind the abnormal levels.
In general, higher levels of amylase than usual may indicate a problem with your pancreas, such as acute or chronic pancreatitis, cholecystitis, macroamylasemia, gastroenteritis, peptic ulcers, perforated ulcers, etc., whereas lower levels than usual may indicate issues with the pancreas, liver, kidney problems, or sometimes even cystic fibrosis (a genetic disorder that causes severe damage to the individual’s lungs)
FAQs
What is the turnaround time (TAT) for serum amylase test?
The test results of serum amylase may be generated within one to two working days’ time
Are there any risks to amylase serum test?
No. There are no risks associated with the serum amylase test. It is a simple blood test that involves the withdrawal of blood through the vein in your arm. It will cause a slight sting or bruise at the site of needle insertion, which usually subsides within a few minutes to several hours
What are the advantages of amylase serum test?
The advantages of serum amylase test involve checking of,
·      Pancreatic health of an individual
·      Any infection or inflammation inside the body
Any abnormalities with kidney functions
Is amylase test recommended for pregnant or lactating women?
Not specifically. Acute pancreatitis is usually rare in pregnant or lactating women. In general, pregnancy or lactation do not interfere with the levels of amylase in the blood of the individual. However, if it does, then it could be problematic for your child. If you see symptoms of pancreatitis, it is always best to get tested for serum amylase
I am a chronic alcoholic. Does it alter the test results of my serum amylase?
Yes, chronic alcohol consumption is one of the causes of abnormalities in the levels of serum amylase. Alcohol is believed to precipitate and increase the viscosity of the pancreatic sections, thereby causing high levels of amylase in the blood
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