Amylase Test

What is Amylase?

Amylase is a digestive enzyme that breaks down starch (a complex carbohydrate) into simpler sugars, such as maltose. Amylase is produced by the salivary glands and by the pancreas. Salivary gland amylase is secreted into the mouth where it mixes with food, while pancreatic amylase is secreted into the small intestine.

What is an Amylase test?

The amylase test measures the amount of amylase in the blood.

Can I get a test for Amylase online?

Yes. The Online Clinic provides a blood test for Amylase with results online within 1 day. There is also a urine test for Amylase, which we do not offer.

Why is an Amylase test important?

Most people normally have a little amylase in the blood, although an abnormal amount may indicate certain health conditions and disorders. The amylase test is predominantly used for diagnosing pancreatic diseases, such as pancreatitis (inflammation), or for monitoring chronic pancreatitis.

If the amylase level in the blood is abnormally high, it could indicate problems of the pancreas, salivary glands, or intestines. Acute pancreatitis is strongly indicated in cases of amylase levels of more than 3 times the upper limit of normal.

Persistently elevated blood amylase may indicate macroamylasemia – a benign condition whereby amylase binds to serum proteins called immunoglobulins, form large complexes that cannot be filtered by the kidneys, and result in a high blood amylase level and a low urine level.

Abnormally low amylase levels are less common. They may indicate chronic pancreatitis, liver disease, kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes mellitus, and is sometimes seen in obese patients.

Who should have their Amylase level tested?

An amylase blood test may be done if you have symptoms suggesting a disorder of the pancreas. These may include upper abdominal pain that may reach the back, worsen after food, or continue for several days; loss of appetite; feeling or being sick; oily, bad-smelling stools; yellowing of the eye whites and skin (jaundice); fever; and/or rapid heartbeat.

The test may also be carried out to diagnose certain conditions or for monitoring existing conditions affecting the pancreas, including disorders of the pancreas (e.g., acute or chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and gallstones); alcohol use disorder (alcohol can severely affect the pancreas); cystic fibrosis (mucus can block the pancreatic ducts); eating disorders (due to periods of not eating and refeeding); and/or infection (that can worsen pancreatitis).

How to test for Amylase?

Testing for amylase requires a small blood sample. A blood sample may be collected by yourself at home, or by a healthcare professional who will use a small needle to take blood from a vein in your arm.

Taking your own blood sample is easy with the provided test kit and instructions. It comprises pricking your little fingertip with a lancet, collecting the blood drops in a collection tube, sealing the collection tube, and gently inverting the tube 5 to10 times. Then, after labelling the collection tube, it is placed in a packing wallet and posted. The results of the amylase test are sent to your doctor at The Online Clinic, who will explain them to you and decide if other tests and/or treatment are needed.

What is a normal Amylase test result?

You may be asked not to eat and drink water only before an amylase test. You also should tell the healthcare professional about all prescription and non-prescription medicines that you are taking, as some can interfere with the test results. These include aspirin, indomethacin, corticosteroids, morphine, diuretics, antiretrovirals, and oestrogen-containing medicines (e.g., the “pill” and hormone replacement therapy).

Internationally, there is no standardised reference range for amylase levels, and amylase reference values can vary between laboratories due to different laboratory methods.

Patients of African and Asian origin can have amylase activity levels above the reference interval established for white patient populations. In this case, a high total amylase level may not indicate a pathological condition.