Amylase

Also written as: Serum amylase, AMY

A digestion enzyme from the pancreas and salivary glands, historically used to assess the pancreas.

What it measures

The level of amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starch. It comes from two main sources - the pancreas and the salivary glands - so a raised level can reflect either.

Why a doctor orders it

It is ordered alongside or instead of lipase when inflammation of the pancreas is being considered, and occasionally when a salivary gland problem is suspected. Many clinicians now lean on lipase instead because amylase is less specific to the pancreas.

What is generally associated with a higher result

Broadly associated with inflammation of the pancreas, salivary gland conditions including mumps and blocked salivary ducts, reduced kidney function, and a range of other abdominal conditions. A harmless trait called macroamylasemia, where amylase binds to larger proteins and clears slowly, can also keep the level persistently raised without any disease.

What is generally associated with a lower result

A low amylase rarely means anything by itself. Long-standing damage to the pancreas can reduce its output of the enzyme.

Everyday things that move this number

Not every shift in a value reflects disease. These are ordinary factors known to affect this particular measurement:

Alcohol intake
Some common medications, including opioids
Vomiting, which can raise the salivary fraction
Recent dental work or salivary gland irritation
Pregnancy, which can raise it modestly

Questions to take to your appointment

Does my lipase result agree with this one?
Could this be coming from the salivary glands rather than the pancreas?
If this stays elevated without symptoms, is macroamylasemia worth ruling out?

Build a printable questionnaire with your own results →

Where to read more

MedlinePlus, from the US National Library of Medicine, publishes patient-facing pages on individual lab tests and is a reliable next stop: medlineplus.gov/lab-tests .

Support this site

This site is free, has no paywall, and takes no money from hospitals, insurers, or billing companies. If it helped, a coffee keeps it going.

Buy us a coffee