Amylase

Amylase test helps in measuring the amount of amylase in the blood or the urine. An anomaly in the levels of amylase, especially if there is too much of it produced, it may then signal health conditions is pancreatic disorder.

Amylase is an enzyme that helps in the breakdown of starch, or carbohydrates, into smaller compounds. There are three types of amylase enzymes: alpha, beta and gamma, of which only alpha is found in humans. Amylase enzyme is secreted by the salivary glands as well as the pancreatic enzymes.

What is the amylase test used for?

The testing for amylase is done to rule out problems with pancreas. It is commonly conducted in cases of pancreatitis, an extremely painful condition in which there is inflammation in the pancreases. It is used to monitor chronic pancreatic issues as well.

Amylase test is also used for to check for digestive disorders, as indicated by high or low levels of the enzyme. Moreover, it is also relevant to check for the disorders of salivary glands.

When should I get an amylase test?

While the call to get an amylase test is made by your healthcare provider, there are certain conditions that call one to get this test done. The conditions in which an amylase test is relevant include:

• Alcohol use disorder
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Cystic fibrosis
• Eating disorders
• Gallstone and gallbladder problems

The general symptom that are associated with disorders that affect the amylase disorder include:

• Fever
• Increased heart rate
• Liver issues like jaundice
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Pain the belly that spreads to the back and gets worse after eating
• Stool with foul smell
• Vomiting

How is an amylase test conducted?

The blood test is performed by an expert; a needle is used to draw a small amount of blood for sampling. For urine test, you are given a container to deposit the urine in.

It is important to follow the instructions so as to not get the bacteria from skin into the sample. Moreover, you might have to give samples from throughout the day, as the enzyme levels vary, and thus a better estimate is then needed.

Normal range of amylase

The range is contingent on the lab, but generally, for blood test, the normal range is 30 to 110 units/liter, and in urine, normal levels are 2.6 to 21.2 IU/hour.

High levels of amylase are indicative of:

• Pancreatitis
• Pancreatic duct blockage
• Pancreatic cancer or tumor
• Intestinal problems

Low levels of amylase are indicative of:

• Chronic pancreatitis
• Cystic fibrosis
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Preeclampsia

What are the risks of an amylase test?

There are no risks involved with the urine amylase test. For the blood amylase test, you might experience slight pain and bruising.

How long does it take to get the amylase test results?

The exact time depends on the lab, but ballpark, it tends to take a day or two.