An amylase blood test is a test that measures the amount of amylase in a person’s blood; an abnormal level of amylase in a body indicates problems with the pancreas or another problem related to the pancreas. The test is recommended by your healthcare provider and is performed to diagnose or monitor acute Pancreatitis and may also detect some digestive tract problems.

Your doctor will discuss why you should get the test done and what your result means. The doctor will check your signs like upper abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea etc., and recommend you to have the test as soon as possible.

 

What is an amylase test?

The amylase test is the test done to measure the amount of amylase in a person’s blood or urine. This helps doctors diagnose and monitor many conditions, specifically Pancreatitis. The test is performed to check the levels of the amylase enzymes in blood or urine. In a few cases, the doctor can recommend checking amylase levels in the peritoneal fluid.

A small amount of amylase is typical, high or low; levels of it may indicate something is wrong with its functioning. The alternate name of the test is Pancreatitis – blood amylase. If you have any of the symptoms of Pancreatic Disorder or experience any of the issues with digestive health. It is best to book an Amylase Test or any other test as suggested by your doctor in just 1 minute at Redcliffe Labs.

 

What is amylase?

Amylase is an enzyme or a type of protein that helps the body to break down carbs. Digestion of carbohydrates is exceptionally vital since they are broken down into glucose, the body’s primary energy source. There are mainly two main types of amylase that are salivary and pancreatic. Salivary amylase is produced by salivary glands and starts digesting food as a person chews. On the other hand, pancreatic amylase is produced by the pancreas, which helps to digest complex sugars in the gut. Pancreas also produces many other enzymes apart from amylases, like lipase and protease. Pancreas also help to make insulin which is a hormone that assists in managing blood glucose by transporting it into cells.

 

It is normal to have a small amount of it in the blood and urine, but too high and amylase levels indicate a severe health condition. Blood amylase carries about an equal amount of salivary and pancreatic amylase; thus, abnormal levels affect the total blood levels. Because the salivary glands and pancreas secrete amylase and test is done to detect conditions associated with Pancreatitis or the salivary gland.

 

When is an amylase test necessary?

The doctor advises amylase tests to detect and monitor certain conditions, particularly if they find some signs and symptoms associated with pancreas problems. Your healthcare provider may order an amylase test if you have the following symptoms. If a person experiences any of the above-listed symptoms, they must book an amylase test at Redcliffe labs :

• Upper stomach pain that goes to the back
• Upper abdominal pain, especially after eating
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Discolouration in the abdomen
• Fever or jaundice

 

What are the ranges of amylase tests?

After undergoing a test at the best labs, you may get the test result in about two days, depending on the lab. The normal range of test results depends on and varies from lab to lab. In a blood sample taken for the test, the normal range is about 30 to 110 U/L; in the urine sample, the range is about 2.6 to 21.2 international units per hour. Your test result also depends on many factors like health history, gender, age, and other things. If your test result shows high levels than normal, then you may have any of the below-listed conditions :

 

• Acute Pancreatitis
• Chronic Pancreatitis that suddenly gets worsens
• Sore in pancreas
• Cancers of the pancreas, colon, breast, lung or ovary
• Cyst in pancreas
• Swelling in abdomen
• Macroamylasemia
• Peptic ulcer with a hole
• Death of tissue in your intestine
• Intestine blockage
• Appendicitis
• Acute cholecystitis
• Salivary gland swelling
• Burns
• Diabetic ketoacidosis
• Kidney problem
• Tumor in prostate
• Bulimia or anorexia nervosa
• Hypertriglyceridemia

 

Low levels of amylase test may indicate conditions like :

• Cystic Fibrosis
• Pre-eclampsia
• Chronic Pancreatitis that may do permanent cell damage
• Kidney Disorders
• Liver Diseases

 

You may have Low amylase levels in the blood and urine because of a side effect of any medicines you consume before providing the sample. You must discuss all your medications with your medical professionals well in advance.

 

What will the amylase test evaluate?

The amylase test result will help the doctor to evaluate and monitor many conditions that affect the pancreas;

 

How to prepare for an amylase test?

Your doctor will tell you all about the amylase test, as you might have to fast for 8 to twelve hours and not have to eat or drink anything besides water. You also have to avoid alcohol for about 24 hours before you go for a test. You need to discuss with your doctor about any prescription or medications you take as it may affect the test results.

During the amylase blood, the test lab technician will insert a needle into the area and take a blood sample; then, place a bandage on your skin to help stop bleeding. During the urine amylase test, you have to give a urine sample, and a lab technician will give the clean container. In some cases, collecting all your urine within 24 hours may be advised because the amount of amylase in urine can vary throughout the day.

 

Is there any risk involved in the amylase test?

Blood tests are very safe and are less risky. The patient may have a small bruise after the blood test where the needle went to the skin. There is no known risk with the amylase urine test done by an expert lab technician.

 

What is the cost of an Amylase test?

An amylase test measures the amylase in the blood or urine and helps to diagnose many pancreatic ailments. The test price varies from lab to lab; however, the price at Redcliffe labs is just 400 Rs after the discount.

 

Conclusion

Your healthcare provider will advise you to get a test done if they suspect signs of Pancreatitis or other signs like abdominal pain or fever. Vomiting etc., Book your test at Redcliffe labs, one of the best labs for blood test where all tests are performed under expert guidance and thus are 100 percent reliable and give accurate results. The best part is that you can access your reports online, and the lab also offers free consultations with the doctor.

 

To know all details click on the below link :

 

https://redcliffelabs.com/delhi/tests/pancreatitis-amylase-test