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🧪 Amylase (Serum Amylase)

Parameter	Details
Test Name	Serum Amylase
Sample Type	Blood (serum), occasionally urine
Fasting Required?	❌ Not mandatory, but may be advised in certain panels
Normal Range	30–110 U/L (may vary slightly depending on the laboratory)
Also Known As	S-Amylase, Blood Amylase

🔬 What Is Amylase?

Amylase is an enzyme that helps break down starch into sugars during digestion. It is mainly produced by:

🧠 Organs Involved

Organ	Function Related to Amylase
Pancreas	Produces digestive amylase; key marker for pancreatic disorders
Salivary Glands	Initial source of amylase; less commonly tested clinically

🩺 Why Is Amylase Measured?

Amylase is primarily used to:

Diagnose or monitor pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
Identify other pancreatic conditions like pancreatic duct obstruction or cancer
Assist in diagnosing salivary gland disorders (e.g., mumps)

📊 Interpretation of Results

🔼 High Amylase Levels May Indicate:

Condition	Comments
Acute pancreatitis	Amylase rises quickly (within 6–12 hrs), peaks early
Chronic pancreatitis	May show mild or no elevation (damaged pancreas)
Pancreatic pseudocyst	Can cause prolonged elevation
Gallstones	If blocking the pancreatic duct
Perforated ulcer or bowel obstruction	Can increase due to gut inflammation
Mumps	Especially if parotid glands are involved
Ectopic pregnancy or ruptured appendix	Non-pancreatic abdominal causes
Kidney failure	Reduced clearance of amylase

🔽 Low Amylase Levels May Indicate:

Condition	Comments
Chronic pancreatitis	Severe damage may reduce enzyme production
Cystic fibrosis	Can reduce pancreatic output
Pancreatic cancer (late)	Advanced cases with tissue destruction
Liver disease	Sometimes lowers enzyme levels

🔗 Recommended Additional Tests

Test	Purpose
Lipase	More specific and longer-lasting marker for pancreatitis
Liver Function Test (LFT)	Rule out liver/biliary causes of abdominal pain
Ultrasound or CT Abdomen	Imaging to check pancreas, ducts, cysts, tumors
Serum Calcium & Triglycerides	High levels can trigger pancreatitis
Urine Amylase	Sometimes used when serum amylase is borderline

⏱️ Kinetics of Amylase in Pancreatitis

✅ Summary Table

Test	Amylase (Serum)
Primary Use	Diagnose acute pancreatitis and monitor pancreatic health
Organs Involved	Pancreas (main), salivary glands
High Levels	Pancreatitis, duct obstruction, salivary issues, mumps
Low Levels	Chronic pancreatic insufficiency, cystic fibrosis
Follow-up Tests	Lipase, abdominal ultrasound, CT scan, calcium, triglycerides

Amylase