Doctors use amylase tests to check for digestive problems and pancreatitis. The tests measure levels of the enzyme amylase in blood or urine samples. High levels can indicate gastroenteritis, acute pancreatitis, or intestinal blockage. Patients should avoid alcohol and certain drugs before testing.
Doctors may administer amylase tests to check for digestive problems or other problems such as pancreatitis. Tests often occur by taking a blood or urine sample to measure levels of amylase, which is an enzyme that normally breaks down carbohydrates in the body for energy. The salivary glands and pancreas help produce normal levels of amylase. Test levels range from normal to low to high. Although the patient does not have to take special dietary precautions, doctors recommend avoiding alcohol or certain drugs before taking blood or urine tests because they can interfere with the results.
Sometimes, an inflamed or unhealthy pancreas causes amylase to leach into the blood, indicating the need for a test to measure levels of the enzyme. Your doctor may do a blood amylase test to check for inflammation of the pancreas, also known as pancreatitis, as well as pancreatic cysts and gallstones. During the test, the doctor begins by applying an antiseptic to the arm area, then wrapping a rubber band around the upper arm to make it easier to draw blood from the forearm. The patient receives a needle injection into the vein with a tube attached to collect the blood. The doctor removes the needle and bandage and stops the bleeding by covering the injection site with gauze and a bandage.
The urinary amylase test provides another way to check for pancreatitis or other signs of serious conditions, such as pancreatic cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, or an intestinal obstruction. There are two such types of amylase tests, including the two-hour urine sample and the 24-hour collection. For the two-hour test, the patient receives a special container, as well as instructions for collecting the urine sample, which must be done over a two-hour period. Like the two-hour urine amylase test, the 24-hour version requires the use of a special container into which the patient empties his bladder. In this case, the patient collects samples, according to the doctor’s instructions, at specific intervals throughout the day.
Results for amylase tests usually come in 48 to 72 hours. According to medical experts, normal levels can vary from laboratory to laboratory and range from 23 to about 85 units per litre. Lower levels may indicate kidney disease, pancreatic cancer, or preeclampsia in a pregnant woman. Higher levels of amylase can indicate gastroenteritis, acute pancreatitis or intestinal blockage.
Advanced preparation isn’t usually necessary for both blood and urine amylase tests, but doctors advise against eating or drinking anything other than water a few hours beforehand. For example, the patient should avoid drinking alcohol or taking prescription medications the day before the blood test because they could affect the results. One medical resource notes that birth control pills, opiates such as morphine or codeine, and aspirin can raise amylase levels. For the 2-hour and 24-hour urine amylase tests, the patient should continue to drink water to collect adequate samples and avoid dehydration.
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