MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Macroamylasemia

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Macroamylasemia

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Definition

Definition

Macroamylasemia is a condition in which macroamylase builds up in the blood.

Amylase is an enzyme that is filtered out of the blood by the kidneys. Macroamylase is a larger molecule consisting of amylase bound to a protein (an autoantibody). Unlike amylase, macroamylase is filtered very slowly from the blood by the kidneys. Having macroamylasemia causes an elevated amylase blood level reading.

Macroamylasemia has been associated with:

celiac disease
ulcerative colitis
rheumatoid arthritis
lymphoma
HIV infection
monoclonal gammopathy

Approximately 1 percent of the population has macroamylasemia.

Update Date: 4/18/2003

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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