Amylase Blood Tests - An Overview

Introduction

Currently, blood tests form an integral part of diagnosis and assessment for many conditions and diseases. Among the various available tests, the Amylase test is a diagnostic test used to check for the levels of the enzyme amylase in the blood. It helps diagnose any diseases in the gut system, especially the pancreas. This article is intended to explain the Amylase blood test, showing its clinical importance, how its results are interpreted, and the procedure for the test.

What Is an Amylase Blood Test?

An Amylase blood test is a test used to evaluate the levels of enzyme amylase in the blood. This enzyme is produced in the salivary glands and pancreas. This enzyme is extremely important in carbohydrate metabolism. It breaks down bigger carbohydrate molecules into small sugars in the mouth and stomach, making it easier for absorption. Any abnormalities in the amylase test levels in the blood are indicative of some issues in the salivary gland or pancreas, as the enzyme amylase is produced in both these places.

What Is the Clinical Significance of the Amylase Blood Test?

This Amylase test is used to diagnose and determine the progress of certain salivary and pancreatic disorders. Some of the important clinical significance of this test include:

1. Diagnose Pancreatitis: When amylase levels increase in the blood, this most commonly indicates pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas that can present with pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever. The Amylase test is conducted to diagnose this disorder, helping in its early management.

2. Monitor the Progress of Pancreatic Disorders: Monitoring amylase levels is integral in patients with pancreatic disorders to gain insight into the disease's progress and response to treatment. Also, complications can be identified early on.

3. Salivary Gland Disorder Assessment: Conditions affecting the salivary glands, such as stones or inflamed glands, can also impact the production of blood amylase levels. Therefore, this test is important in evaluating and monitoring these disorders.

4. Abdominal Emergencies: In cases of acute abdominal pain, an amylase test is conducted in blood to assess for pancreatitis, appendicitis, and perforations. The results derived can help healthcare practitioners to provide treatment and intervene immediately. Certain conditions necessitate surgery and can be planned on an urgent basis.

5. Cancer Screening: The Amylase blood test is not a cancer screening tool specifically, but whenever there are too high blood amylase values, doubts must be raised regarding pancreatic cancer, too. Additional tests like imaging and marker studies must be done to confirm the diagnosis.

How Is the Blood Amylase Test Conducted and Results Interpreted?

1. The test is generally done on a fasting person, who should have fasted overnight (eight to ten hours). This reduces the chance of inaccurate results due to food interference.

2. On the day of collection, the healthcare professional will clean the area on the arm with an antiseptic and insert a needle into the vein to draw blood. The collected blood is stored in a tube or vial. Pressure is applied on the site to stop the bleeding, if any. The patient can leave the laboratory.

3. The collected blood sample is sent to the laboratory, where the amylase concentrates are analyzed.

4. Results are measured in units per liter or international units per liter (IU/L).

The result interpretation is done as follows.

• Normal Range: The levels are considered normal between 30 to 110 U/L. The results might vary depending on the laboratory and the particular assay used.

• Elevated: An increase in the blood amylase levels may be indicative of-

  • Acute pancreatitis.

  • Pancreatic pseudocyst.

  • Obstruction.

  • Pancreatic cancer.

  • Mumps.

  • Cholecystitis.

  • Kidney disease.

  • Perforation in the gastrointestinal system.

• Decreased: It is uncommon to have reduced amylase levels in blood. When they occur, they need further tests to determine the cause. A decrease in the amylase blood levels may be indicative of-

  • Chronic pancreatitis.

  • Liver diseases.

  • Pancreatic insufficiency.

What Are the Factors Affecting These Amylase Test Results?

Certain external factors can show abnormal amylase levels. These also have to be considered while interpreting the results.

These include :

1. Gender and Age: Males have higher amylase levels in their blood than females. Similarly, older age groups have higher levels than younger ones. This difference is not very significant.

2. Medicines: Patients must inform their doctors of all the medications they are currently taking. Certain medicines can significantly alter the amylase levels and give false test results. They are :

   • Corticosteroids.

   • Diuretics.

   • Oral contraceptives.

   • Opioid pain relievers.

1. Pregnancy: Pregnant women, particularly in the last trimester, can temporarily have elevated amylase levels in the blood. However, these slight elevations are normal and require no treatment or intervention.

How Are Elevated Amylase Levels Treated?

1. Ascertain the Cause: The most common cause is pancreatitis, but other disorders may also be involved. Therefore, the exact cause must first be determined.

2. Relieving the Cause:

   1. Pancreatitis: Treatment typically involves replacing fluids and electrolytes, symptomatic relief with analgesics, and nutritional support with parenteral nutrition if required. If pancreatitis is due to gallstones, then cholecystectomy (removal of gallbladder) might be indicated.

   2. Salivary Gland Disorders: For inflammation of the salivary gland, antibiotics, warm compresses, hydration, and massage may be indicated. Massage and salivary stimulants may be used for stones. In certain cases, surgical removal of stones may be necessary.

   3. Perforation: Generally requires surgical repair and antibiotics.

3. Monitoring: After treatment, the amylase levels are assessed and monitored regularly. That will necessitate blood tests, imaging tests, and follow-up visits with the doctor in charge.

4. Healthy Lifestyle: At certain times, changing lifestyle and adopting a healthier one, such as consuming a healthy, balanced diet, avoiding alcohol and other harmful habits, getting adequate sleep, and relaxing, is necessary and also contributes to maintaining the amylase levels as well as other body enzymes in the normal range.

Conclusion

To conclude, the blood amylase test is an important diagnostic test to measure the levels of the enzyme amylase. It has an important role in the digestion and metabolism of carbohydrates. Its elevated levels are suggestive of certain pancreatic and salivary disorders. It is also important to interpret the amylase results in collaboration with the clinical findings and other diagnostic tests to ensure accuracy and to formulate the best treatment plan.