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Amylase

Amylase

Also referred as
Serum Amylase
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An Amylase test is used to measure the amount of enzyme amylase that is made by the pancreas. This test can be used to monitor your pancreatic health by detecting pancreatitis (an inflammation in the pancreas) and other pancreas-related diseases, such as blockage in pancreatic ducts.

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Understanding Amylase

Amylase is an enzyme, a type of protein, that helps your body break down carbohydrates. The majority of the amylase in your body is made by the pancreas and salivary glands; however, in small amounts, it is also produced by the small intestine, ovaries, placenta, liver, and fallopian tubes. The pancreas releases amylase through the pancreatic duct into the small intestine where it helps break down dietary carbohydrates. 

Amylase is usually present in the blood in small quantities, but when the pancreatic cells are injured, they release more than the optimum amounts of amylase in the blood. Therefore, evaluating the amylase levels helps to check how well your pancreas is working. An increased amylase level can be seen in the case of pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas, when the pancreatic duct is blocked by a gallstone, or in rare cases, due to a pancreatic tumor. Similarly, a decreased amount of amylase also indicates health conditions such as liver disorder or cystic fibrosis.

You may need an Amylase test if you experience symptoms of pancreatic disorders, such as pain in the upper abdomen that may go to the back, tenderness in the abdomen, nausea, pale stool, a full or bloated feeling, jaundice or the yellowing of the eyes, rapid pulse or heartbeat, and fever. Your doctor may also advise this test if you are already diagnosed with pancreatitis and are being treated to check how well the treatment is working. An amylase test is also a crucial marker for detecting ectopic pregnancy and acute pancreatitis in pregnant women. No special preparation is needed for an amylase test. You can eat or drink normally as per your daily routine. 

Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between different labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. The results will help them determine your medical condition, make recommendations for lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise, decide whether or not medication will be required to manage your condition, and formulate an overall treatment plan.

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What does Amylase measure?

An Amylase test determines the amount of amylase enzyme in your blood. This enzyme helps in the breakdown of complex dietary carbohydrates into simple carbohydrates for absorption. The digestion of carbohydrates begins in the mouth since the amylase is secreted by the salivary glands too. However, the majority of the amylase is produced by the pancreas and secreted into the duodenum of the small intestine. The amount of amylase in the blood rises either due to its increased secretion into the blood or decreased elimination by the kidneys. Higher levels of amylase for longer periods indicate pancreatic complications and need medical intervention.

FAQs related to Amylase

Pancreatitis refers to the inflammation of the pancreas. The symptoms of pancreatitis include abdominal pain that radiates to your back, abdominal pain that feels worse after eating, indigestion, fat in stool, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, fast heart rate, weight loss, etc.
Generally, acute pancreatitis does not cause any long-term damage. However, chronic pancreatitis may follow a series of acute attacks but is almost always due to many years of alcohol abuse (although other conditions such as cystic fibrosis can also damage the pancreas). It causes permanent pancreatic damage with scarring and calcium deposits. In some people, insulin-dependent diabetes may also develop due to acute pancreatitis.
An amylase blood test can be requested if you show symptoms of a pancreatic disorder, such as severe abdominal pain, fever, loss of appetite, or nausea. It may also be requested when your doctor wants to monitor your treatment response and check whether amylase levels are increasing or decreasing. An amylase test is also a crucial marker for detecting ectopic pregnancy and acute pancreatitis in pregnant women.
Amylase levels in blood may be increased due to acute or chronic pancreatitis; cancer of the pancreas, colon, ovary, breast, or lungs; intestinal disorders, ruptured ectopic pregnancy (abnormal pregnancy), swelling of salivary gland such as mumps, severe burns, diabetic ketoacidosis, kidney diseases, the intake of certain drugs like morphine, alcoholism, inflammatory bowel diseases, etc.
Amylase levels in the blood may be decreased due to preeclampsia of pregnancy, kidney diseases, some cases of acute pancreatitis, liver failure, chronic pancreatitis, congestive heart failure, second and third trimesters of pregnancy, fracture of bones, and gastrointestinal cancer.
Always consult your doctor if you have a high amount of amylase in your blood. However, adopting some healthy lifestyle modifications such as avoiding alcohol, staying hydrated, and dietary modifications, may help lower your amylase levels.
There is usually no risk associated with this test. However, some people may feel a slight sting when a needle is pricked and may also experience some bleeding, which is normal and usually not bothersome. Rarely, some people may also experience slight swelling or bruising at the site of the needle prick. Applying ice 3-4 times a day for about a week may help reduce swelling and bruising. If it does not get better, consult your doctor.
The amylase levels in your blood can be affected by a number of factors such as medications like aspirin, morphine, or estrogen-containing drugs; alcohol; pregnancy; recent kidney transplant; or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure.
Some of the additional tests that may be prescribed in case of abnormal amylase test results are urine amylase test, lipase test, amylase to creatinine clearance ratio, liver function test, kidney function test, trypsinogen test, and abdominal CT scan.

Amylase test price for other cities

Price inKolkataRs. 399
Price inNew DelhiRs. 449
Price inBangaloreRs. 479
Price inGurgaonRs. 449
Price inMumbaiRs. 579

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Amylase