Amylase is a e produced the salivary glands and pancreatic glands, and eliminated in urine. Amylase is a saccharidase, that is, this enzyme breaks down polysaccharides (sugars).

The main function of amylase is thus to help digest carbohydrates from food ingested. In particular, it plays a major role in the degradation of starch, made up of carbohydrates.

If the doctor suspects damage to the pancreas or salivary glands, then he may order an amylase test.

The amylase analysis can be performed in the blood but also in the urine.

The medical staff in charge of the examination will draw venous blood, usually at the fold of the elbow. It is advisable to avoid drinking alcohol before the exam. Your doctor may also ask you to change the dosage or even to stop taking certain drugs that may affect the amount of amylase in the blood (such as aspirin, birth control pills, opioids or even certain diuretics).

Regarding the urine dosage, it is recommended to do it in the morning. To do this, simply urinate in a container provided for this purpose provided by the medical staff.

The normal value of the amylase level is between 10 and 45 IU / l in the blood (International Units per liter) and 10-150 IU / l in the urine.

Note that the variations of urinary amylase follow those of blood amylase, with a lag of approximately 8 hours.

Amylase level may be higher than normal in case of:

• pancreatic damage: pancreatitis acute or chronic, pancreatic cyst, pancreatic cancer, etc.

• abdominal pain : ulcer perforated, inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis), peritonitis, etc.

• presence of macroamylase in the blood (macroamylasemia), i.e. anomalous assembly of amylase to other proteins

• salivary gland disease: mumps, salivary gland tumor, chronic alcoholism

On the contrary, a low amylase level can be a sign:

• a greatly increased triglyceride level

• preeclampsia (during pregnancy)

• pancreatic lesions

• kidney disease