Quick Guide

Your pancreas and salivary glands produce amylase, an enzyme that aids in breaking down carbohydrates. If the test detects an excess of amylase in your blood or urine, it could suggest a pancreas disorder or another health condition.

When is an amylase test performed?

Your healthcare provider may suggest this test to diagnose or monitor conditions including:

• Issues with your pancreas, like pancreatitis, gallstones, or pancreatic cancer.
• Alcohol use disorder (alcoholism).
• Cystic fibrosis.
• Eating disorders.
• Infections.

Test Requirements

Your healthcare provider will provide specific instructions, which may include fasting for to 12 hours, during which you should refrain from consuming anything except water. Additionally, you might need to abstain from alcohol for 24 hours before the test. It’s important to inform your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking.

Normal Range

The normal range for amylase can vary between different laboratories. In a blood sample, the typical range is approximately 30 to 110 U/L (units per liter), while in a urine sample, the range is 2.6 to 21.2 IU/h( International units per hour).

What do your amylase results mean?

An abnormal level could signal a health condition. Your healthcare provider will go over the results with you and their implications, taking into account factors like current symptoms, health history, and additional test results.

A high amylase level may indicate an issue with your pancreas, while a low level could suggest problems with the pancreas, liver, or kidneys, or even cystic fibrosis.

References:

1. (N.d.). Retrieved from https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/Overview/800003 
2. professional, C. C. medical. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/22386-amylase-test