Amylase Test
Reviewed
Measures amylase enzyme levels to help diagnose or monitor pancreatic or salivary gland disorders.
Preparation and collection
Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours before the test. For a blood test, you may need to fast for 2 hours. Inform your provider about all medicines you take.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- Blood test: slight pain or bruising at needle site.
- Urine test: no significant physical risks.
- Peritoneal fluid test: small risk of bowel or bladder damage, bleeding, or infection.
- False positives or negatives are possible; results should be interpreted in context with symptoms and other tests.
What to do next
Your healthcare provider will explain what your results mean and may recommend follow-up tests, such as a lipase test.