Amylase is an enzyme that helps digest carbohydrates. It is produced mainly in the pancreas and the glands that make saliva. When the pancreas is diseased or inflamed, amylase releases into the blood.
A test can be done to measure the level of this enzyme in your blood.
Amylase may also be measured with a urine test. See amylase - urine.
How the test is performedBlood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and an elastic band or blood pressure cuff is placed around the upper arm. This causes veins below the band to swell with blood.
A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the band is removed to restore blood flow. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
In infants or young children, the area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding.
How to prepare for the testNo special preparation is needed. However, you should avoid alcohol before the test. The health care provider may advise you to stop taking drugs that may affect the test. NEVER stop taking any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Drugs that can increase amylase measurements include:
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performedThis test is most often used to diagnose or monitor diseases of the pancreas. It may also detect some digestive tract problems.
Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:
Normal ValuesThe normal range is 23 to 85 units per liter (U/L). Some laboratories give a range of 40 to 140 U/L.
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results meanIncreased amylase levels may indicate:
Decreased amylase levels may indicate:
There is very little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
ReferencesOwyang C. Pancreatitis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 147.
Amylase is an enzyme that helps digest carbohydrates. It is produced in the pancreas and the glands that make saliva. When the pancreas is diseased or inflamed, amylase releases into the blood.
A test can be done to measure the level of this enzyme in your blood.
Amylase may also be measured with a urine test. See amylase - urine.
How the test is performedA blood sample is needed. For information on how this is done, see: Venipuncture.
How to prepare for the testNo special preparation is needed. However, you should avoid alcohol before the test. The health care provider may ask you to stop taking drugs that may affect the test. NEVER stop taking any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Drugs that can increase amylase measurements include:
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performedThis test is most often used to diagnose or monitor acute pancreatitis. It may also detect some digestive tract problems.
The test may also be done for the following conditions:
Normal ValuesThe normal range is 23 to 85 units per liter (U/L). Some laboratories give a range of 40 to 140 U/L.
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.
What abnormal results meanIncreased blood amylase levels may occur due to:
Decreased amylase levels may occur due to:
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
Owyang C. Pancreatitis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 147.
Tenner S, Steinberg WM. Acute pancreatitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 58.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 02/04/2011
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
no
green tube
Amylase enzymes.
Alpha bonds are hydrolised by alpha amylase. The alpha amylase is the sole form of amylase found in all mammals.
Salivary amylase breaks 1-4 Linkage whereas Pancreatic amylase breaks 1-6 linkage in Polysacharides
When the pancreas is damaged or diseased, it releases amylase into the blood.
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because
green tube
pepsin
Amylase is produced by the salivary glands and pancreas.In humans, amylase is found in saliva, blood, and urine. The majority of amylase is found in the mouth, this enzyme is the chemical digestion that breaks down starch into smaller saccharides.Under normal conditions only low levels are found in the blood and urine; higher levels are found if the pancreas or salivary glands become blocked or damaged. Therefore raised levels in the blood or urine can be indicators of pancreatic diseases (such as pancreatitis).
Normal blood findings are 56 to 190 IU/L.
Amylase enzymes.
AMYLASE
Ptyalin is an alpha-amylase. It is the alpha-amylase found in saliva
amylase:) amylase:)
The enzyme amylase is released in the mouth, referred as the salivary amylase, and in the duodenum of the small intestine by the pancreas, referred as the pancreatic amylase.