• Amylase helps your body digest starch into sugars.
• It is an enzyme made in the pancreas and the salivary glands.
• An amylase test is usually ordered together with another test, lipase.
• Lipase is the main test used to investigate and diagnose pancreatitis. It is preferred over amylase mainly because it is more accurate.
• Amylase is used in specific circumstances, usually when it there is a need to find out whether symptoms are due to problems in the pancreas or the salivary glands.

Amylase helps your body digest starch. It is an enzyme that is made in your pancreas and salivary glands, with smaller amounts made by the ovaries, fallopian tubes, intestines and lungs.

The blood test for amylase is used to help diagnose pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Amylase levels rise quickly at the beginning of a pancreatitis attack and fall after about three days.

The amylase test has been widely used for many years but a newer enzyme test, lipase, has largely replaced it. Lipase is preferred over amylase for diagnosing pancreatitis because it is more accurate. Lipase stays in the body longer and therefore provides a more reliable test result.

Also, lipase is almost entirely made by the pancreas whereas higher amylase levels can be caused by problems in various parts of the body such as salivary gland diseases, bile duct and gall bladder blockages, bowel obstructions and perforations, kidney disease and gynaecological conditions.

Chronic (long-term) pancreatitis is often associated with alcoholism. Lipase has a greater sensitivity than amylase in someone with alcoholic pancreatitis.

Amylase and lipase tests are often ordered together. Amylase is now mainly used when someone has symptoms of a salivary gland disease (because it is also made by the salivary glands).

When a doctor is investigating pancreatitis, a range of blood tests may be ordered at the same time including liver function tests, full blood count, C-reactive protein, creatinine and electrolytes, calcium and glucose.

Sample

Amylase is typically measured in a blood sample.

Any preparation?

An amylase test does not require you to fast, however if lipase testing is being done at the same time you will need to fast for that. Some medications and supplements might also need to be paused. You should tell your doctor about any medication you are taking.

Reading your test report

Your results will be presented along with those of your other tests on the same form. You will see separate columns or lines for each of these tests.

In pancreatitis, amylase levels are very high, often 5-10 times normal.

Reference intervals - comparing your results to the healthy population

Your results will be compared to reference intervals (sometimes called a normal range).

• Reference intervals are the range of results expected in healthy people.
• They are used to provide a benchmark for interpreting a patient's test results.
• When compared against them, your results may be flagged high or low if they sit outside this range.
• Some reference intervals are harmonised or standardised, which means all labs in Australia use them.
• Others are not because for these tests, labs are using different instruments and chemical processes to analyse samples.
• Always compare your lab results to the reference interval provided on the same report.

If your results are flagged as high or low this does not necessarily mean that anything is wrong. It depends on your personal situation.

Reference intervals for amylase vary between laboratories in Australia because they use different measurement instruments. Always check your specific laboratory’s ranges.

The choice of tests your doctor makes will be based on your medical history and symptoms. It is important that you tell them everything you think might help.

You play a central role in making sure your test results are accurate. Do everything you can to make sure the information you provide is correct and follow instructions closely.

Talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking. Find out if you need to fast or stop any particular foods or supplements. These may affect your results. Ask:

• Why does this test need to be done?
• Do I need to prepare (such as fast or avoid medications) for the sample collection?
• Will an abnormal result mean I need further tests?
• How could it change the course of my care?
• What will happen next, after the test?

Pathology and diagnostic imaging reports can be added to your My Health Record. You and your healthcare provider can now access your results whenever and wherever needed.

Get further trustworthy health information and advice from healthdirect.