Public Lab

Amylase level

Rate: Rs. 350

Sample

This test is done on the serum of patient.

Serum is stable at room temp.for 7 days and at 4C for one month.

Avoid alcohol before sampling because it give rise to increase in the amylase level.

Important facts

1.This enzyme is synthesized in pancreas and salivary gland.Amylase is secreted into gastrointestinal tract, where it helps to digest starch and gycogen in the mouth, stomach and intestine.

2.Amylase activity is low in the infant blood for the first 2 months of life and reaches adult level by he age of one year.

3.Amylase high activity is seen in Pancreas and parotid gland.

Significance

Amylase activity is highest in parotid gland and pancreas.

This test help in the diagnosis of Acute pancreatitis

It increases in the first 3-6 hours and maximum level in 20 – 30 hours, then fall to normal within 48 to 72 hours.

It may increases up to 40 times of normal.

Normal

•value in adult: 25—125 U/L.

•Newborn 2-4 days: 5—65 U/L

•60-90 years: 24—151 U/L

It may be Increased in :

1.Acute pancreatitis and Acute exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis.

2.Acute alcoholic poisoning

3.Salivary glands diseases like mumps,or duct obstruction or parotitis.

4.May be in acute cholecystitis,intestinal obstructions.

It may be Decreased in :

1.Extensive marked destruction of pancreas e.g. Acute fulminant pancreatitis.

2.Chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.

3.Cirrhosis and sever liver disease.

4.Perforating or penetrating peptic ulcer.

5.Toxemia of pregnancy.