Amylase

Casandra

Casandra Test Code LC30443Version 1 (DRAFT)

Performing Lab

Lab LabcorpLab Test ID 001396CPT Code 82150

Clinical Use

Use

Work-up for abdominal pain, epigastric tenderness, nausea, and vomiting. Such findings characterize acute pancreatitis as well as acute surgical emergencies such as gastrointestinal perforation (eg, peptic ulcer with perforation) or bowel infarct. Amylase is used in the differential diagnosis of acute or chronic pancreatitis, which may or may not in an individual be related to alcoholism. Hypercalcemia related to pancreatitis is described with hyperparathyroidism and other entities. About 80% of subjects with acute pancreatitis have increased serum amylase within 24 hours.1

Special Instructions

Amylase levels should be interpreted cautiously as they may increase in conditions like renal failure, pregnancy, and diabetic ketoacidosis without diagnostic significance. Collection involves separating serum or plasma from cells within 45 minutes of collection, ensuring stability across various temperatures for up to 14 days.

Limitations

The test has poor specificity. Factors like oxalate or citrate presence and lipemic sera can depress results. Normal serum amylase levels are possible in chronic or relapsing pancreatitis cases. Non-pancreatic factors such as high levels in alcoholics or salivary amylase predominance due to conditions like renal failure may also affect readings. The test's capability to detect pancreatic-specific elevations is limited, given that serum amylase derives from non-pancreatic sources as well.

Test Details