Clinical Indications

The enzyme amylase is present in pancreas and salivary glands and its measurement is invaluable in management of acute abdomen. Clearly elevated levels (>900 IU/L) are virtually diagnostic of acute pancreatitis.
Amylase is of no value in diagnosis of either chronic pancreatitic insufficiency of pancreatic cancer since serum levels are usually normal.
Amylase is cleared by renal excretion and persistent elevated levels may be seen in macroamylasaemia, a rare and benign condition, due to complexing of amylase with immunoglobulin

Request Form 

Combined Pathology Blood form (Yellow/Black or Blue for GP's)

Availability

On request. May be requested urgently.

Turnaround Time

Same day

Specimen

Serum

Volume

2 ml

Container

Yellow top (SST) tube

Lab. Handling

Aliquot and store at 4C

Causes for Rejection

Unlabelled sample

Reference Range

Amylase reference range <90 IU/l. Levels up to 180 IU/l may be seen in Asians, West Indians and Chinese.

Interpretation

A marked rise in serum amylase occurs in 95 percent of patients with acute pancreatitis within 2-12 hours of onset. The highest serum activity is present 12-72 hours after the onset and usually returns to normal in 4-8 days. Acute non-pancreatic conditions, which may also elevate amylase levels, include acute parotitis, peritonitis, small intestine obstruction, perforated peptic ulcer, rupture of a tubal pregnancy, contraction of the sphincter of Oddi following morphine administration, and mesenteric thrombosis.