Amylase is an enzyme that helps digesting food. Most of the amylase is made in the pancreas and salivary glands. Alterations in activity shows there is a pancreatic disorder, alcoholism, infection, pancreatitis. In digestive system, an alpha-amylase called ptyalin is produced by the salivary glands whereas pancreatic amylase is secreted by the pancreas into the small intestine. This enzyme digests sugar(carbohydrates) and produces small glucose molecules to be absorbed into the blood.
Interpretation: High amylase levels are a sign of acute or chronic pancreatitis (4-6 times higher). It also increases in pancreatic cancers. Low amylase levels may indicate chronic pancreatitis, leading to permanent pancreatic damage (pancreatic cancer is also a possible cause).
Sample: Arm vein blood. Nonfasting
Working day: Everyday
Result Time: Next day 6:00 PM
