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Showing posts with the label An amylase test measures the amount of amylase in blood or urine

Amylase Test What is an Amylase Test?

What is an Amylase Test? An amylase test measures the amount of amylase in your blood or urine.  Amylase is an enzyme, or special protein, that helps digest carbohydrates. Most of the amylase in the body is made by the pancreas and salivary glands. A small amount of amylase in your blood and urine is normal. But having too much or too little may be a sign of a disorder of the pancreas or salivary glands, or another medical condition. Other names: Amy test, serum amylase, urine amylase What is it used for? Tests for amylase in blood or urine are mainly used to diagnose problems with your pancreas, including pancreatitis. It is also used to monitor chronic pancreatitis. Increases and decreases in amylase levels show up in blood before urine, so an amylase urine test may be done after an amylase blood test. One or both types of amylase test may also be used to help diagnose or monitor treatment for other disorders that may affect amylase levels, such as salivary gland disorders and certai