Blood Test : Amylase

Amylase is a digestive enzyme found in the salivary glands, liver, fallopian tubes, and pancreas. Inflammation of the liver, pancreas, or salivary glands will cause amylase to be released into the bloodstream in increased quantities. This test is useful in diagnosing:

1. PANCREATITIS (elevated amylase)

2. HEPATITIS (inflammation of liver leads to elevated amylase)

3. GALLBLADDER DISEASE (here, the gallbladder causes secondary inflammation of the pancreas and elevated amylase)

4. MUMPS OR PAROTITIS (inflammation of a salivary gland causes an elevated amylase)

5. PANCREATIC CANCER (elevated amylase)

6. RUPTURED TUBAL PREGNANCY (elevated amylase)

7. PERFORATED PEPTIC ULCER (elevated amylase)

8. DRUG SIDE EFFECT (e.g. alcohol, Demerol)

* This test is also useful in evaluating patients with abdominal pain of unknown origin.

* This test is performed using a standard venipuncture specimen.

APPROXIMATE NORMAL VALUE

60-160 Somogyi units per deciliter

MEDICAL TESTS

Abdominal Ultrasound
Abdominal X-Ray
Allergy Testing
Amniocentesis
Amylase Blood Test
Angiodynography
Angiogram
Arterial Blood Gases
Arthrocentesis
Arthrogram
Barium Enema
Blood Chemistry
Blood Coagulation Test
Blood Cultures
Blood Glucose Test
Blood Test Smac 25
Bone Marrow Biopsy Aspiration
Cardiac Catheterization Angioplasty
Cardiac Enzymes
Cholesterol Blood Test
Complete Blood Count
CT Scanning Back
CT Scanning Chest Abdomen
Drug Levels
Glucose Tolerance Test
Hepatitis Blood Test
HIV Blood Test
Kidney Biopsy
Kidney Blood Test
Lipoproteins
Liver Biopsy
Liver Blood Test
Lymph Node Biopsy
Mononucleosis Test
Paracentesis
Peritoneal Lavage
Pregnancy Blood Test
Prostate Specific Antigen
Skin Biopsy
Spine X-Rays
Thyroid Biopsy
Thyroid Blood Test
Toxicology