What is an Amylase Test?
An amylase test checks the levels of amylase, an enzyme, in your blood or urine. Amylase is mainly made by the pancreas and salivary glands to aid in breaking down carbohydrates into simpler sugars. This test is frequently utilized to identify and keep track of issues concerning the pancreas and digestive system.
However, having too much or too little might be a symptom of a pancreatic or salivary gland issue or another illness.
Other names: Other names for this test are amy test, serum amylase, and urine amylase.
What are the Uses of the Amylase Test?
- The primary function of tests for amylase in blood or urine is to identify pancreatic issues, such as pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas.
- It is used to monitor chronic (long-term) pancreatitis.
- Amylase levels increase and decrease in blood before they do in urine.
Hence, an amylase urine test can be performed concurrently with or after an amylase blood test.
Other illnesses that may impact amylase levels, such as salivary gland and other digestive issues, may also be diagnosed or treated using one or both of the amylase tests.
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Get A Second OpinionWhat is the need for an Amylase Test?
If you exhibit signs of a pancreatic problem, your doctor may request a blood or urine test for amylase.
The following symptoms may appear quickly or gradually:
- Abdomen pain(upper belly) that might spread toward the back or get worse after eating
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- Fast heartbeat
- Jaundice
- Greasy, foul-smelling stool (poop)
Your healthcare physician may also prescribe an amylase test to track one or more pancreatic conditions, such as:
- Pancreatic cancer
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Cystic fibrosis
- Eating disorders
- Recovery from gallstones removed after a gallbladder attack
- Alcohol use disorder
What happens during an Amylase Test?
A medical expert will use a tiny needle to draw blood from a vein in your arm for an amylase blood test. A small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial once the needle has been placed. The needle may hurt somewhat when it enters or exits your body. Usually, this only takes a few minutes.
To receive an amylase pee test, you must provide a urine sample. A medical practitioner could give you a cleaning wipe, a small container, and instructions on how to take a urine sample using the "clean catch" technique.
It's crucial to adhere to these guidelines to prevent skin-derived bacteria from contaminating the sample:
- Dry your hands after washing them with soap and water.
- Without touching the interior, open the container.
- Use the cleansing wipe to clean your genital region.
- After a brief period of urinating into the toilet, stop. Once more, begin to urinate, but this time into the container. Keep the container away from your body.
- Fill the container with at least one or two ounces of pee. There should be marks on the container indicating how much pee is required.
- Attach the container's cap before returning it as directed.
Inform your provider before the test if you have bleeding haemorrhoids or are in the middle of your period.
Your healthcare doctor can ask you to collect all your pee in one 24-hour period. This is because urine's amylase content might change throughout the day.
Therefore, taking many samples throughout the day can provide a more accurate picture of your amylase levels. You will receive a container and detailed instructions on collecting your sample at home for this test. Make sure you properly adhere to all directions.
Your doctor may occasionally request a peritoneal fluid amylase test from you. This liquid lies between the tissue layers that line the interior of your belly and protect most of your organs. A medical expert will numb your skin before using a needle and tubing to pull fluid into a container to get a sample.
How do you Prepare for the Amylase Test?
Before a blood or urine test for Amylase, you should abstain from alcohol for 24 hours. Your healthcare professional might also advise you to fast (avoid food and liquids for two hours before the test) if you have a blood test. Your provider will let you know if there are any particular instructions to follow.
What are the Risks of AmylaseTest?
There are no risks or dangers associated with the test. You could experience a little discomfort or bruising when the needle is inserted during a blood test, but it will mostly disappear rapidly.
Having a urine test has no recognized risks.
You can have a slight lightheadedness or dizziness following a peritoneal fluid test. The needle might damage your intestines or bladder, which could result in bleeding or infection.
What do the Results imply?
When the result shows high levels of Amylase in blood or urine, it indicates:
- Acute pancreatitis
- A blockage in a duct in the pancreas
- Pancreatic cancer or benign (not cancer) tumou
High levels of Amylase in the peritoneal fluid may indicate:
- Acute pancreatitis
- Lack of blood flow to the intestines
- A blocked intestine
When the result shows low levels of Amylase in blood or urine, it indicates:
- Advanced Chronic Pancreatitis
- Kidney disease
- Cystic fibrosis
- Liver disease
- Pre-eclampsia (a type of high blood pressure in pregnancy)
Your prescription or over-the-counter medications should be disclosed to your healthcare practitioner since they may impact your test findings. Speak with your provider to learn more about your results.
What is essential information about an Amylase Test?
In addition to an amylase blood test, your doctor could prescribe a lipase blood test if they think you have pancreatitis. The pancreas also produces the enzyme lipase. When alcohol use disorder is the underlying cause of pancreatitis, lipase tests are considered to be more reliable for diagnosing.
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Book an AppointmentFrequently Asked Questions
The primary function of tests for Amylase in blood or urine is to identify pancreatic issues.
High Amylase levels indicate either acute or chronic pancreatitis. Amylase levels that are four to six times greater than the top limit of the normal range might result from acute pancreatitis.
The usual range of Amylase is 40 to 140 units per litre (U/L) or 0.38 to 1.42 microkat/L (µkat/L). Normal value ranges might differ slightly among different laboratories, as some use different measurement methods.
Diseases that cause high Amylase are ectopic amylase production by lung, ovary, pancreas, and colon malignancies; thymoma; multiple myeloma; and breast cancer.
Signs indicating a high amylase level are intense exhaustion, frequent urination, excessive thirst, weight loss, weakness, sweating, and nausea.
Foods to avoid are:
- Red meat
- Organ meats
- Fried foods
- Potato chips
- Mayonnaise
- Margarine and butter
- Full-fat dairy
- Pastries and desserts with added sugars
Yes, stress can affect Amylase and increase amylase levels.
Before a blood or urine test for Amylase, you might be asked to fast (avoid food and liquids for two hours before the test) if you have a blood test.
The cost of an amylase test ranges from Rs. 500 to Rs. 700. It might vary from place to place and hospital to hospital.
You can take the Amylase Test at Medicover Hospitals. It offers various kinds of pathology tests.
