About Our Amylase Test
Purpose of the test
An amylase test is used to help evaluate conditions affecting the pancreas, especially when pancreatitis is suspected, as amylase quickly rises and serves as a key marker for this condition. It may also be used to monitor people already being treated for pancreatic conditions or recovering from issues such as gallstones.
While the amylase test is sensitive for pancreatic disease, it is not specific. This means that elevated levels may indicate a problem, but not necessarily one originating in the pancreas. In addition to the pancreatic issues, amylase can be helpful in diagnosing such problems as gallbladder disease, bowel obstruction, perforated ulcers, or salivary gland diseases.
A lipase test is more specific than amylase in diagnosing acute pancreatitis. Lipase is another digestive enzyme that is released shortly after a meal and plays a key role in digesting dietary fats. Looking at the results of both tests together can help diagnose or rule out pancreatitis and other conditions.
Changes in amylase levels are typically detected in blood before urine. Blood amylase increases quickly within 3 to 6 hours but has a half-life of about 12 hours. Urine amylase rises slower as it has to pass through the kidneys but has a longer half-life (7-10 days), In some cases, a urine amylase test may be ordered after or alongside a blood test to provide additional information.
What does our amylase test measure?
An amylase test measures the amount of amylase enzyme in your blood or urine.
It’s normal to have a small amount of amylase in the blood and urine. However, when the pancreas or other tissues that produce amylase become inflamed or damaged, increased amounts of the enzyme can be released into the bloodstream.
Because amylase is also produced outside the pancreas, elevated levels don’t always indicate a pancreatic condition. For this reason, results are often interpreted alongside other tests, such as elevated levels of lipase, white blood cell count (WBC), glucose, liver enzymes (AST,LDH), and your symptoms.
When should I get an amylase test?
A blood amylase test may be ordered if you have signs or symptoms of a pancreatic disorder, such as:
- Severe upper abdominal pain that radiates to the back or feels worse after eating
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tenderness when touching belly
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice)
- Rapid pulse and shortness of breath
- Loose, fatty, foul-smelling stools (steatorrhea)
A urine amylase test may be ordered along with or following a blood amylase test. Repeat testing is generally not done once acute pancreatitis is diagnosed. However, mild cases may be retested when symptoms resolve in less than one week.
Finding an Amylase Test
How to get tested
Typically, an amylase test will be done in your doctor’s office or another medical setting like a laboratory or hospital. These tests are normally ordered by a doctor but may be available without a doctor’s orders.
Can I take the test at home?
There is no standard at-home self-collection amylase test. However, a lab may offer mobile in-home sample collection arranged through a testing provider.
How much does the test cost?
The cost of an amylase test varies depending on where it is performed and whether or not you have health insurance, which typically covers the cost if your doctor orders it to diagnose or treat a medical condition. You can always ask your physician, the lab, or your insurance provider about any out-of-pocket costs you may have.
Taking an Amylase Test
An amylase test is usually done with a blood sample taken from a vein in your arm. In some cases, a urine sample – either a random sample or a 24-hour collection – may also be used. In rare situations, other body fluids, such as peritoneal fluid, ascitic fluid, or pleural fluid may be tested.
Before the test
No special preparation is needed before an amylase test, but you’ll need to avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours. Your health care provider may ask you to stop taking certain supplements or medications for a short time before the test (such as aspirin, corticosteroids, diuretics, indomethacin, opioids, or oral contraceptives), as some can affect test results. You may even be asked to fast all food and drink except water for several hours beforehand.
During the test
If you’re doing a blood draw amylase test, you’ll have a blood sample taken from a vein in your arm. You may feel a pinch or mild discomfort during the blood draw, but it should subside when the needle is removed. The process usually takes a few minutes.
For a urine amylase test, you may be asked to provide a single urine sample or collect your urine over a 24-hour period. For a 24-hour collection, you’ll receive instructions on how to collect and store your urine samples at home.
After the test
After completing a blood test, the health care provider will apply a bandage and may tell you to apply some pressure on the site for a few minutes. You can usually remove the bandage after a couple of hours, and shouldn’t have any restrictions. There may be minor bruising at the draw site.
Test results are often available within one to two days, though timing can vary depending on the laboratory. Your health care provider will review your results along with your symptoms and any other tests to help determine next steps.