Amylase

Test information: Amylase is important for diagnosis and monitoring of acute or chronic pancreatitis because of the lack of specific clinical symptoms. Acute pancreatitis occurs most commonly because of obstruction of the pancreatic duct or abdominal trauma causing physical damage to the pancreas. Amylase may be 5 to 20 times higher than normal in acute pancreatitis but as grossly elevated levels may be evident for only a short time, a slightly increased level does not necessarily exclude pancreatitis. 

Specimen Type(s)

• Blood;

Other Acceptable Specimen Type(s)

N/A

Specimen Container - Adult

• Gold Top SST BD;

Specimen Container - Paediatric

• Light Green Top Microtainer BD;

Analytes

• N/A;

Part of a test profile?

No

Volume (min) of sample to be sent to laboratory

4ml

Patient Preparation, Sample Handling and Transport

N/A

Maximum add on time

5 days

Units and Reference Ranges / Interpretation

RR for both Males and Females - 0 to <15 days - 3  to  10 - U/L 15 days to <13 wks - 2  to  22 - U/L 13 wks to <1yr - 3  to 50 - U/L 1 yr to <19yrs - 25  to 101 - U/L 19yrs and above - 28 to 100 - U/L

UKAS number

8869

UKAS accredited test?

Yes

Comments

N/A

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