Amylase - urine
This is a test that measures the amount of amylase in urine. Amylase is an enzyme that helps digest carbohydrates. It is produced mainly in the pancreas and the glands that make saliva.
Amylase may also be measured with a blood test. See: Amylase - blood
How the Test is Performed
A urine sample is needed. The test may be performed using a single urine sample or a 24-hour urine collection. For information on how to collect a sample, see:
How to Prepare for the Test
Your health care provider may tell you to stop taking certain drugs that can affect test results. Drugs that can increase amylase levels include:
- Asparaginase
- Aspirin
- Birth control pills
- Cholinergic drugs
- Codeine
- Corticosteroids
- Indomethacin
- Loop and thiazide diuretics
- Methyldopa
- Morphine
- Pentazocine
How the Test Will Feel
The test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort.
Why the Test is Performed
This test is done to diagnose pancreatitis and other diseases that affect the pancreas. Your doctor may also order this test to see how treatment for such conditions is working.
Normal Results
The normal range is 2.6 to 21.2 international units per hour (IU/h).
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.
What Abnormal Results Mean
An increased amount of amylase in the urine is called amylasuria. Increased amylase levels may be a sign of:
- Acute pancreatitis
- Alcohol consumption
- Cancer of the pancreas, ovaries, or lungs
- Cholecystitis
- Ectopic or ruptured tubal pregnancy
- Gallbladder disease
- Infection of the salivary glands (called sialoadenitis, may be caused bymumps or a blockage)
- Intestinal obstruction
- Pancreatic duct obstruction
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Perforated ulcer
Decreased amylase levels may be due to:
- Damage to the pancreas
- Kidney disease
- Pancreatic cancer
- Toxemia of pregnancy
Risks
There are no risks.
References
Owyang C. Pancreatitis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 147.
Tenner S, Steinberg WM. Acute pancreatitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 58.
Update Date: 6/1/2011
Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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