Amylase

It's normal to have a small amount of amylase in your blood and urine. But having too much amylase may be a sign of a disorder of the pancreas or salivary glands or another medical condition. Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) is the most common reason that amylase rises in the blood. In sudden (acute) pancreatitis, amylase usually starts to climb within hours, stays elevated for a few days, and then comes back down.

If your provider needs to know more specifically whether the pancreas is the source of high amylase, a separate test that measures pancreatic amylase (an isoenzyme) can be more sensitive than total amylase for spotting acute pancreatitis.

High levels of amylase in blood or urine may be a sign of: acute (sudden) pancreatitis; a blockage in a duct (small tube) in the pancreas; or cancer or a benign (not cancerous) tumor of the pancreas.

In sudden pancreatitis, amylase usually starts to rise within 2 to 12 hours of symptoms, peaks at about 1 to 3 days, and falls back to normal in 3 to 4 days. The size of the rise does not always match how severe the pancreatitis is, and a normal result does not always rule it out, especially if your blood has very high fats (triglycerides), which can mask a real rise.

High levels of amylase in peritoneal fluid may be a sign of: acute (sudden) pancreatitis; a blocked intestine; or lack of blood flow to the intestines.

Low levels of amylase in blood or urine are uncommon, but may be a sign of: chronic pancreatitis causing permanent damage to the cells that make amylase; severe liver disease; or, rarely, cystic fibrosis.

Keep in mind that because amylase is also made by the salivary glands and other organs, a high level isn't always due to a pancreas problem. Mumps, salivary duct blockages, ectopic pregnancy, and bowel obstruction can all raise amylase.

To learn more about your results, talk with your provider.