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Urine amylase is tested in several cases. First of all, urine amylase is checked when there is a risk of pancreatic disease. High amylase in the urine can also mean problems with the liver, kidneys. The gynecologist may order this type of examination if he suspects a developing ectopic pregnancy.
Amylase is one of the most important enzymes whose task is to break down polysaccharides in the mechanism of the so-called hydrolysis. It is an enzyme that helps to digest carbohydrates. Digestion begins in the mouth and then moves through the duodenum and small intestine. In addition to the duodenum, amylase is produced by the mammary and salivary glands, the mucosa of the small intestine, as well as by the ovaries and testes.
Amylase in urine – when to examine
The stimulus for the secretion of the amylase enzyme is the ingestion of food into the oral cavity. After the initial stage of digestion, the food is swallowed and passed to the stomach. At this point, the release of pancreatic amylase begins, making it possible to digest carbohydrates into simple sugars. In a situation where there is a suspicion of disturbances in the digestive process, laboratory diagnostics is necessary. Blood amylase is excreted in the urine, so both blood levels can be measured, but urine amylase can also be tested. To test the level of urine amylase, it is enough to take a sample before the test, but you can also wait 24 hours.
Urine amylase gives the same reliable picture as blood amylase, so the test can be performed in two forms. This solution is even recommended for a better result, since serum amylase has a shorter duration and urine amylase is also tested. Proper examination guarantees the possibility of excluding or confirming acute pancreatitis. When should urinary amylase be determined? What are the symptoms of pancreatitis?
- increased heart rate
- tense and painful abdominal wall
- persistent fever
- jaundice
- nausea and vomiting
- long-lasting upper abdominal pain radiating to the loins
Urine amylase – study
Urine amylase is not a complicated test. You should first wash the private area and urinate into a sterile container, it is important to place a midstream urine in the container. In patients with renal insufficiency, it is required that urine amylase be determined XNUMX hours in advance. It is not necessary that the patient be particularly prepared before the urine amylase test, but in order for urine amylase to be properly labeled before the test, you should not drink alcohol, it is also worth stopping the medication. To be sure, you can ask for a doctor’s consultation.
If blood amylase is also to be tested, you must come for the test on an empty stomach. The cost of the test is small and ranges from PLN 7 to PLN 10. What are the norms of urine amylase? Of course, as with all tests, urine and blood amylase has standards set for each laboratory. The correct level is 10–490 IU, it is normal urine amylase, blood amylase norms are 40–140 IU / L, while for the elderly it is 160 IU / L. For children, the norms are close to the norm. adults. What might higher urinary amylase suggest?
- abnormal kidney function
- problems with the gallbladder
- gallstone disease
- ovarian cancer
- lung cancer
- pancreatic cancer
- kidney disease
- ovarian cancer
- salivary gland disease
Lower levels of amylase in the urine may indicate extensive damage to the pancreas, developing cystic fibrosis, heart attack. Low amylase in urine and blood appears after burns, and in pregnancy it may indicate pregnancy poisoning.
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