Amylase in Dehradun

What is a Amylase?

Amylase is a digestive enzyme that breaks starch down into simple sugars. Most of it is made by the pancreas, with a substantial share from the salivary glands, and only a small amount normally circulates in the blood. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, its cells leak amylase directly into the bloodstream and the level can climb several times above normal within hours. That speed is what makes amylase a front-line test for acute pancreatitis. It has two well-known limits. It rises and falls quickly, often returning to normal within three to five days, so a late test can miss an attack that genuinely happened. And it is not exclusive to the pancreas, so mumps and other salivary gland problems, a perforated ulcer, gallstones, an ectopic pregnancy and some kidney disease can all raise it. For those reasons amylase is almost always ordered together with lipase, which stays elevated longer and is more specific to the pancreas.

Why take this test?

An amylase test is advised for severe pain high in the abdomen, classically boring straight through to the back and often eased slightly by leaning forward, especially when it comes with persistent nausea, vomiting, fever or a distended, tender belly. Those features raise the question of acute pancreatitis, which is a medical emergency, and amylase helps confirm or exclude it quickly. It is also used to investigate unexplained upper-abdominal pain, to look into a swollen jaw or cheek where a salivary cause is suspected, and to monitor known chronic pancreatitis. In India the commonest triggers behind an attack are gallstones and alcohol, so your doctor will usually pair the enzyme result with an ultrasound and a liver function test rather than reading it in isolation.

• Severe upper-abdominal pain radiating through to the back
• Persistent nausea and vomiting with abdominal tenderness
• Suspected acute or chronic pancreatitis
• Known gallstones or heavy alcohol intake with new abdominal pain
• A swollen, painful jaw or cheek suggesting a salivary gland cause

Normal reference ranges

Ranges are indicative for adults. Your report carries the lab-specific reference range and is reviewed by a LabONE pathologist; always interpret results with your doctor.

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