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Interpretive Handbook

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Test 5079:
Amylase, Pancreatic, Body Fluid

Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

Amylases are a group of hydrolases that degrade complex carbohydrates into fragments.

 

Amylase is produced by the exocrine pancreas and the salivary glands to aid in the digestion of starch. It is also produced by the small intestine mucosa, ovaries, placenta, liver, and fallopian tubes.

 

Since the clinical use of amylase activity is usually to detect pancreatitis, the p-amylase form provides a useful test in the laboratory diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.

 

Pleural effusion may occur secondary to inflammatory pancreatic disease. Exocrine products of the pancreas will occur in such body fluids.

Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Pancreatic amylase will most frequently be ordered as a serum test to detect acute pancreatitis.

 

If a pleural effusion occurs as a complication of acute pancreatitis, excessive amounts of pancreatic amylase (p-amylase) in the effusion points to pancreatitis as the cause.

Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

Elevated pleural effusion alpha-amylase suggests acute pancreatitis as the cause of the effusion.

Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

Serum reference values are not applicable to body fluid specimens. There are no established reference values for body fluid specimens.

Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

Not applicable

Clinical References Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature

Burtis CA, Ashwood ER: Clinical enzymology. In Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry. Third edition. Philadelphia, WB Saunders, 1999, pp 617-721