Amylase is an enzyme that plays an important role in the digestion of carbohydrates in our body. Particularly, it takes part in the process of breaking down glucose and releasing energy. Amylase is mostly secreted from the pancreas and salivary glands. Amylase is also produced in the small intestine, ovaries, placenta, and liver, although to a lesser extent. Sometimes in some lung cancers, amylase can be produced in cancer tissues.
Normal amylase values:
- Newborn: 6–65 U/L
- Adult: 25–125 U/L
- Aged: 21–160 U/L
The amylase test is often used to investigate pancreatic diseases. The level of amylase in the blood is very low and stable. However, in pancreatic diseases such as pancreatitis, its level suddenly rises. It rises to its highest level in the first 12-24 hours of acute pancreatitis and then decreases to normal values within 4 to 7 days. Although some people have acute pancreatitis, the amylase level may not increase. Amylase increase can also occur in many other conditions, pathological or non-pathological.
Amylase level may increase up to 10 times normal in acute pancreatitis, severe uremia or diabetic ketoacidosis. Blood amylase value is also evaluated for the follow-up of chronic pancreatitis. In these cases, amylase is usually evaluated together with the lipase test.
Excess amylase is excreted in the urine. In some cases, amylase levels in the blood may remain high, as amylase cannot be excreted in the urine. These conditions are called macroamylasemia. Evaluation is made with the urine amylase test.
The most common causes of high blood amylase (hyperamylasemia) are:
- Acute pancreatitis
- Pancreatic cancer
- Pancreatic duct stones
- Swelling, stones and blockages in the salivary glands
- Parotid gland inflammation
- Mumps
- Gastroenteritis
- Stomach ulcer
- Post-surgical stress situations
- Lactic acidosis
- Anorexia nervosa
- Blumiya
- Malignancies
- Ovarian cancer
- Lung cancer
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Celiac disease
- Severe uremia
- Some emergencies
- Alcohol poisoning
- Head trauma
- Ulcer perforation
- Intestinal blockages
- After gastric surgery
- Cholecystitis
- Scorpion sting
- Severe diabetic coma
- Morphine injection
- Medicines
- Aspirin
- Diuretics
- Birth control pills
- Corticosteroids
- Indomethacin
- Ethyl alcohol
- Opiates
- Kidney diseases
Conditions in which the level of amylase in the blood (hypoamylasemia) is decreased:
- Diffuse pancreatic damage
- Acute and chronic hepatitis
- Pregnancy toxemia
- Pancheal insufficiency
- Cystic fibrosis
- Severe liver diseases
- After pancreatectomy