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Definition
A test to measure the amount of amylase in serum (blood).How the test is performed
Adult or child:How to prepare for the test
There is no special preparation. However, you should avoid alcohol before the test. The health care provider may advise you to withhold drugs that may affect the test.How the test will feel
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.Why the test is performed
This test is primarily performed to diagnose or monitor diseases of the pancreas. It may also reflect some gastrointestinal problems.
Amylase is an enzyme that helps digest glycogen and starch. It is produced mainly in the salivary glands and pancreas. When the pancreas is diseased or inflamed, amylase escapes into the blood.
Normal Values
The normal range is 23 to 85 U/L. Some laboratories give a range of 40 to 140 U/L.What abnormal results mean
Increased amylase levels may indicate:What the risks are
Special considerations
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others. Update Date: 4/29/2003 Updated by: Andrew J. Muir, M.D., M.H.S., Division of Gastroenterology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |