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The Amylase test measures the level of amylase — a digestive enzyme that breaks down starch into sugars — in the blood. Amylase...
Also known as: Serum Amylase Test · Pancreatic Amylase Test · Blood Amylase Test · Alpha-Amylase Test
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*Inclusive of home collection charges
The Amylase test measures the level of amylase — a digestive enzyme that breaks down starch into sugars — in the blood. Amylase is produced primarily by the pancreas (pancreatic amylase) and salivary glands (salivary amylase). When the pancreas is inflamed (pancreatitis), amylase is released into the bloodstream in large quantities, causing a dramatic rise in serum amylase within hours of the onset of pain. The serum amylase test is one of the primary diagnostic markers for acute pancreatitis and is also elevated in salivary gland disorders. No fasting required.
Key benefits of this package include:
What Does the Amylase Test Measure?
| Level / Result | Possible Interpretation |
|---|---|
| 30–110 U/L (Normal) | Normal amylase — no significant pancreatic or salivary gland pathology |
| 110–300 U/L (Mildly elevated) | Mild elevation — may indicate mild pancreatic irritation, salivary gland disease, or renal impairment (reduced clearance); correlate with Lipase and clinical picture |
| > 300 U/L (> 3x upper limit — significant elevation) | Consistent with acute pancreatitis — confirm with Lipase, clinical findings, and imaging (CT abdomen) |
| > 1,000 U/L (Markedly elevated) | Severe acute pancreatitis or pancreatic duct obstruction — urgent hospital assessment |
| Elevated amylase + Normal lipase | Consider salivary gland source (parotitis, mumps) rather than pancreatic — isoamylase testing if needed |
| Falling amylase despite ongoing pain | Pancreatitis may still be active — Lipase is more reliable for late presentations; clinical reassessment required |
Important Note: Serum amylase must always be interpreted alongside Lipase and clinical context. Amylase can be elevated in non-pancreatic conditions — intestinal obstruction, bowel ischaemia, ectopic pregnancy, renal failure, and macroamylasaemia (amylase bound to immunoglobulin, causing false elevation without disease). A single amylase result does not confirm pancreatitis — severity assessment requires CT imaging (CT Severity Index). All results must be reviewed by a physician.
Macroamylasaemia — A Cause of Persistently Elevated Amylase Without Disease: Macroamylasaemia is a benign condition where amylase binds to immunoglobulin molecules in the blood, forming large complexes that cannot be filtered by the kidneys. This causes persistently elevated serum amylase despite completely normal pancreatic function and no clinical pancreatitis. It is a diagnostic pitfall — incorrectly leading to unnecessary investigations and treatment. The clue is persistently elevated amylase with normal lipase, no clinical symptoms, and importantly — normal or low urine amylase (the large macroamylase complex cannot be excreted in urine). Recognition prevents unnecessary hospitalisation and workup.
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