Amylase is an enzyme produced by the salivary glands, pancreas, mammary gland, ovaries and testes. Blood amylase testing is primarily used in the diagnosis of diseases of the pancreas. Check what are the norms of amylase in the blood and what it may be because the level of amylase is too low or too high.
Amylaseis an enzyme that breaks down polysaccharides (e.g. starch) into simple sugars, which are then absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. This enzyme is produced by the salivary glands, pancreas, mammary gland, ovaries and testes. The most important organs of excretion of amylase from the body are the kidneys and the gastrointestinal tract. To determinethe level of amylase (AMY) in the blood , take blood from a vein in the arm for testing. Before the test, you should have an empty stomach for at least 8 hours. Check what is the norm for alpha-amylase and what is evidenced by low or high levels in the blood.
Level of amylase in the blood: indications for the test
Testing the level of amylase in the body is ordered in the case of:
- suspected acute pancreatitis with the following symptoms: severe abdominal pain with vomiting and diarrhea
- suspected chronic pancreatitis, as well as in long-term pain associated with weight loss, fatty diarrhea and alcohol abuse or gallstone disease
- suspicions of salivary gland diseases such as inflammation or cancer, which lead to obstruction of the salivary duct while enlarging the salivary gland
- if perforation is suspected, gastric, duodenal or intestinal perforation and intestinal obstruction or intestinal ischemic changes
The norm of serum amylase concentration is in the range of 25-125 U / I, while in the elderly it is wider - 20-160 U / l.
High blood amylase levels
If the blood amylase level exceeds 1150 U / l, it is acute pancreatitis. It should be remembered that the highest amylase values in acute pancreatitis occur between 6 and 12 hours after the onset of disease symptoms, and then drop rapidly, remaining above normal for the next 3-4 days. Blood amylase levels range 575-1150 U / l can testify to:
- peritonitis
- periodic tableexacerbation in chronic pancreatitis
- gastric or duodenal ulcer perforation
- intestinal obstruction
- cholecystitis
- gallstone disease
- pancreatic duct stones
- acute nephritis
- diabetic ketoacidosis when blood glucose levels exceed 500 mg / dl
Amylase within 115-575 U / l may be evidence of:
- piggy
- salivary duct stones
- radiotherapy and chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide)
- taking opium alkaloids (morphine, heroin, codeine)
- methanol poisoning
- ingestion of high doses of ethanol (in alcoholics)
In addition, elevated levels of amylase in the blood may indicate liver disease, chronic nephritis, and ectopic pregnancy. It also accompanies extensive injuries of the whole body and appears in the course of some malignant neoplasms - bronchial cancer, thyroid cancer, liver, colon, ovary, prostate cancer - the so-called paraneoplastic hyperamylasemia.
Read also: Acute pancreatitis - symptoms and treatment
Low blood amylase
Low blood amylase level may be a sign of:
- very extensive destruction of the pancreas - necrosis caused, for example, by acute fulminant pancreatitis, advanced chronic pancreatitis or muscoviscidosis,
- serious liver damage as a result of e.g. drug poisoning, hepatitis, pregnancy poisoning, severe thyrotoxicosis, severe burns,
- taking certain medications, e.g. citrates and oxalates, which bind calcium.