Amylase
An amylase test measures the amount of amylase in your blood or urine (pee). Amylase is an enzyme, a protein that speeds up chemical reactions in your body. Amylase helps you digest carbohydrates. Most of the amylase in your body is made by your pancreas and salivary (spit) glands.
Tests for amylase in blood or urine are mainly 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.
Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of MedicineNormal range
22 published ranges, each from a named source- 18 y+
- 23–110 U/L (varies by lab)ARUP 23–110 · Mayo 28–100 U/L
These labs do not agree for 18 y+: the published adult ranges differ by up to 22%, so the same result can read as normal at one lab and be flagged at another — ARUP 23–110 · Mayo 28–100 U/L. Both are real published values, shown as each lab states them.
Ranges from ARUP Laboratories Test Directory, Mayo Clinic Laboratories (Pediatric Test Catalog), Mayo Clinic Laboratories (Test Catalog).All source ranges (22)
What an abnormal result can be associated with
- A high result
- Hyperamylasemia
- A low result
- Hypoamylasemia
- Sample
- Serum or plasma · LOINC
- Collection
- Serum gel tube · 0.5 mL · Mayo Clinic Laboratories (Test Catalog)
- Listed under
- Pancreatic Cancer · Pancreatic Diseases · Pancreatitis
- Code
- LOINC 1798-8 · U/L
- Also known as
- Alpha amylase, Ams, Amyl, Diastase, Gastro