Amylase test – Urine & Serum Amylase Test | Amylase Levels

Why the Amylase test is done?

The Serum amylase test and Urine Amylase test is typically done

• To detect acute pancreatitis and to monitor its course.

Sometimes, it also done to monitor

• Chronic pancreatitis

• Other diseases of the pancreas: pseudocyst, cancer, or abscess.

When is it done?

The Amylase test is one of the first tests to be done when your doctor suspects pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is the inflammation (swelling) of the pancreas which may produce the following symptoms in you:

• Pain in abdomen- typically severe pain in upper abdomen. The pain feels like stabbing and tends to radiate to your back. You may feel little better on bending.

• Nausea and vomiting

• Loss of appetite

• Fever

• Diarrhea

• Jaundice

The Amylase test is also done when your doctor wants to monitor the progress of the pancreatic disease or to check the effect of the treatment.

What sample is needed and how is it collected?

Usually your doctor asks for serum amylase test where you have to give a small blood sample. The sample is taken using a thin needle from the vein of your arm.

Sometimes your doctor may order a urine amylase test where the level of amylase is estimated from a random urine sample or a 24-hour urine sample.

In special situations when you have fluid in abdomen, he may also ask to check for amylase levels in your peritoneal fluid.

How I need to prepare for the test?

Avoid alcohol: For any amylase test (serum amylase test or urine amylase test) you need to avoid drinking alcohol for minimum 24 hours prior to the test.

For the serum amylase test (blood test) you may need to avoid eating or drinking anything 2 hours before the test.

Discuss medicines: Some of the medicines may alter the level of amylase in your body and thus may affect the serum amylase test results. You need to inform your doctor about the medicines you take who might ask you to either stop the medicine or change its dose.

The following medicines that can affect the amylase levels are:

• Aspirin

• Birth control pills

• Opioids such as codeine, morphine, etc.

• Cholinergic drugs

• Methyldopa

• Diuretics of thiazide group, such as chlorothiazide, metolazone etc.

What is tested?

Amylase

Amylase is an important enzyme that helps to digest carbohydrates. It is mainly produced by the pancreas in the abdomen and salivary glands in the mouth.

The levels of amylase can be checked in various ways:

Blood amylase test: the serum amylase test measures the levels of amylase in your blood.

Urine amylase test: it detects the level of amylase excreted in urine. Both the tests help to detect abnormal levels of amylase in the body which usually indicates pancreatitis and sometimes other conditions.

Peritoneal fluid amylase test: the peritoneal fluid is checked for the abnormal levels of amylase.