The amylase test is an essential medical tool for evaluating the health of the pancreas. By measuring amylase levels in blood and urine, this test helps diagnose a variety of disorders, including pancreatitis. Learn how it works, why it's done, and what its results mean.
An amylase test measures the amount of amylase in your blood or urine. Amylase is an enzyme, a protein that accelerates chemical reactions in your body. Amylase helps you digest carbohydrates. Most of the amylase in your body is produced by your pancreas and salivary glands.
It's normal to have a small amount of amylase in your blood and urine. But having too much amylase can be a sign of a pancreatic or salivary gland disorder or other medical condition.
Other names: Amylase test, serum amylase, urinary amylase
Blood or urine amylase tests are primarily used to diagnose problems with your pancreas, including pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas. The test is also used to monitor chronic (long-term) pancreatitis.
Changes in amylase levels appear in the blood before urine, so a urine amylase test may be done with or after a blood amylase test.
One or both types of amylase tests may also be used to help diagnose or monitor the treatment of other disorders that may affect amylase levels, such as salivary gland disorders and certain digestive conditions.
Your health care provider may order an amylase blood and/or urine test if you have symptoms of a pancreatic disorder. Symptoms may start suddenly or slowly. They may include:
Your provider may also request an amylase test to monitor an existing condition that affects your pancreas, including:
For an amylase blood test, a health professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected in a test tube or vial. You may feel a slight prick when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
For a urine amylase test, you will need to provide a urine sample for testing. A health professional can give you a cleaning wipe, a small container, and instructions on how to use the “clean catch” method to collect your urine sample. It is important to follow these instructions so that germs from your skin do not contaminate the sample:
If you have bleeding hemorrhoids or are menstruating, let your provider know before your test.
Your provider may require that you collect all of your urine for a period of 24 hours. This is because the amount of amylase in the urine can vary throughout the day. Collecting an entire day's urine can provide more accurate information about your amylase levels. For a 24-hour urine test, you will be given a container and specific instructions on how to collect your sample at home. Be sure to follow all instructions carefully.
In some cases, your provider may request a test for amylase in peritoneal fluid. This fluid is found between the layers of tissue that line the inside of your abdomen (belly) and cover most of your organs. To obtain a sample, a health professional will anesthetize your skin and use a needle and tube to take a small amount of liquid from a container.
You should not drink alcohol for 24 hours before taking an amylase blood or urine test. If you have a blood test, your provider may also ask you to fast (not eat or drink) for two hours prior to the test. Your provider will let you know if there are any special instructions to follow.
Be sure to talk to your provider about any prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking, as they may affect your test results. But don't stop taking medication unless your provider asks you to.
There is very little risk in taking a blood test. During a blood test, you may experience mild pain or bruising where the needle was inserted, but most symptoms go away quickly.
There are no known risks in taking a urine test.
If you have a peritoneal fluid test, you may feel a bit dizzy or light after the procedure. There is a small risk that the needle could damage your bowel or bladder, which can lead to bleeding or infection.
High levels of amylase in the blood or urine may be a sign of:
High levels of amylase in peritoneal fluid may be a sign of:
Low levels of amylase in blood or urine are rare, but may be a sign of:
To find out more about your results, talk to your provider.
Learn more about lab tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.
If your provider suspects that you have pancreatitis, they may order a lipase blood test, as well as an amylase blood test. Lipase is another enzyme that is produced by the pancreas. Lipase tests are considered to be more accurate in diagnosing pancreatitis, especially when pancreatitis is caused by an alcohol use disorder.
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