Alpha test

x

Definition

What is alpha-amylase?

An amylase test is used to measure the amount of the enzyme amylase in a blood sample (taken from a vein) or urine sample.

Under normal conditions, amylase levels in the blood or urine tend to be low. However, if the pancreas or salivary glands are damaged, the amount of amylase in the blood and urine will increase. The increase in amylase levels in the blood lasts only a short time. Meanwhile in urine, the increase in amylase levels can last for several days.

When should I take alpha-amylase?

This test is most often used to diagnose or monitor acute pancreatitis, as well as to detect some digestive tract problems.

The diseases commonly tested by this test are:

• chronic pancreatitis
• Pancreatic pseudocyst

Precautions & warnings

What should I know before taking alpha-amylase?

In people with pancreatitis, high levels of amylase in the urine will usually last several days (longer) than the level of amylase in the blood. When born, babies have little or no amylase. At the end of the first year, an infant's amylase level is the same as that of an adult. Lipase is an enzyme that is only produced by the pancreas. A lipase test and an amylase test can be done together when a patient is suspected of having pancreatitis. In some cases, a test that compares urinary amylase to creatinine (waste that is excreted by the kidneys) may be done to diagnose pancreatitis.

Process

What should I do before taking alpha-amylase?

You should not drink alcohol for 24 hours before the test. To test for amylase in the blood, you must fast for several hours but are allowed to drink mineral water.

Amylase test in urine is carried out for 24 hours. Therefore, you must consume enough fluids to prevent dehydration. Especially for women who are menstruating, urine tests cannot be done and must be rescheduled. Be sure to tell your doctor about any medications you are taking.

How is alpha-amylase processed?

The amylase in the blood test involves taking a typical blood sample. Meanwhile, testing for amylase in urine requires a slightly different process. The urine test sample collection period was divided into two 24 hours and 2 hours. Over the 24 hour period, the patient should record the time of first urination, as well as the time to last urinate (towards the end of this period). All urine during this period should be collected. Every time you urinate, the patient must collect urine in a small container then pour it into a large container provided by the medical center. When pouring the urine sample, try not to touch the inside of the container. This large container should be stored in the refrigerator. The collection of a urine sample over a 2 hour period also involves the same procedure. The only difference lies in the span of time they are collected.

What should I do after taking alpha-amylase?

After the test, you can go back home and do your normal activities. The test results will usually come out within 72 hours. The doctor will explain the results of this test to you.

Explanation of the Test Results

What do my test results mean?

The normal range for an amylase test may vary depending on the laboratory you choose. The ranges listed here are descriptions of the acceptable ranges. The doctor will check the test results taking into account the patient's health condition as well as various factors that can affect the test results. Discuss with your doctor if you have any questions about your test results.

Normal

Amylase in the blood
Adults (age ≤ 60 years):	25–125 units per liter (U / L) or 0.4–2.1 microkatals / liter (mckat / L)
Adults (> 60 years):	24–151 U / L or 0.4–2.5 mckat / L

Amylase in urine
Urine sample (2 hour period):	2–34 U or 16–283 nanokats / hour
Urine sample (24 hours)	24–408 U or 400–6,800 nanokats / day

Amylase ratio / creatinine clearance
Normal:	1% –4% or 0.01–0.04 clearance fraction

Abnormal

Possible causes for high amylase levels include:

• inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), pancreatic cysts, or pancreatic cancer
• inflammation of the salivary glands, such as goiter
• intestinal blockage, or severe damage to the intestines (bowel obstruction or narrowing of the intestines)
• gastric ulcers that cause perforation of the stomach wall
• gallstones causing pancreatitis
• diabetic ketoacidosis
• ruptured ectopic pregnancy
• kidney failure
• appendicitis or peritonitis
• macroamylasemia, a common and harmless condition in which amylase binds to proteins in the blood