Medical expert of the article
New publications
Pancreatic amylase in the blood and urine
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Pancreatic amylase in blood and urine is an important analysis that helps to identify pancreatitis as the main disease, along with other laboratory tests, as well as any other anomalies in the functioning of the pancreas. X-ray, duodenography, ultrasound and FGDS can all be prescribed by a doctor along with blood, saliva, and urine tests.
The pancreas secretes every day up to one liter, and sometimes more, of pancreatic juice, which in turn enters the small intestine, the duodenum. In this juice and contain much-needed digestion enzymes, neutralizing gastric acids and splitting nutrients to the desired state. While protease works on the breakdown of proteins, lipase - over fats, amylase successfully copes with carbohydrates.
The pancreatic isoenzyme is called amylase pancreatic, most of it is digested with hydrolysing trypsin in the intestinal tract and enters the bloodstream. Since the isoamylase molecules are small, they are able to pass through the filtration in the kidneys, so they can also be contained in another medium - in the urine.
[How is pancreatic amylase tested in blood and urine?
The level, any changes in dynamics, the activity of amylase in the bloodstream is assessed using a specific analysis, a detailed biochemical study.
The composition of blood serum is studied, and the blood itself is given on an empty stomach (on an empty stomach). Amylase, contained in urine, is determined by collecting the material throughout the day in a certain way. In the morning the patient urinates, the portion is immediately poured. Next, urine is collected at regular intervals throughout the day. The collection begins with a second, more pure portion and ends with the morning portion collected the next day.
Pancreatic amylase in the blood and urine - the norm or pathology?
Since amylase is primarily an enzyme related to digestion, in principle it can not and should not exist in the bloodstream. The presence of amylase in any uncharacteristic environment - for example, in the urine or in the bloodstream indicates a poor condition of the organs of their pathology, any erosive or other damage provokes the release of amylase, which falls into a medium that is not native to it. There is a direct relationship between the presence of a higher than normal enzyme in the blood and also in the urine: the entry of isoenzymes into the bloodstream immediately leads to the appearance of "fellow" already in the urine. Pancreatic amylase in the blood and urine is the main sign, a marker of well-being or pathology of many organs, but mainly of the pancreas. Any form, stage of pancreatitis (chronic, acute) entails a change in activity, the activity of pancreatic amylase. It also happens that an increase in the isoenzyme norm indicates parotitis or a disease of the salivary glands.
The following ranges of the norm of the pancreatic enzyme-amylase are considered normal:
- In the blood material:
- children up to 2 years: 5 - 65 U / l;
- 2 years - 70 years: 25 - 125 U / l;
- over 70 years: 20 - 160 U / l.
- In the material of urine (daily) - from 1 to 17 units / h.
What can pancreatic amylase talk about in blood and urine?
Active activity of amylase, which does not fit into the limits of the norm, can be a marker of such pathologies:
- All diseases associated with the pancreas.
- Kidney pathology, insufficiency of the inferior functions.
- Calculous diseases of the salivary glands.
- Infarction (mesenteric) intestine, ulcerative processes in the intestine.
- Inflammatory processes, including acute ones, in peritoneum - peritonitis and others.
- Complicated pregnancy, perhaps - ectopic.
- Complications associated with surgical intervention.
- Complications after transplantation
- Ketoacidosis associated with diabetes;
- Acute form of alcoholism.
It should be noted that pancreatic amylase in the blood and urine as the main indicator is quite effective, but the information should be considered in conjunction with all the attendant factors.
Such situations and conditions can influence the analytical result:
- Taking medications such as corticosteroids, diuretics (furosemide), the whole ibuprofen group, contraceptives, narcotic drugs;
- Increase in the amount of homocysteine, cholesterol.
It is necessary to take into account and take into account that pancreatic amylase in the blood and urine is considered as an informative marker with mandatory consideration of the parameters of the general, basic amylase. The combination of atypical activity of total amylase in combination with a reduced level, a small amount of pancreatic isoenzyme suggests that possible problems with the pancreas (pancreatitis) should be ruled out. If this information is obtained, the pancreatic amylase in the blood and urine may be evidence of ovarian, broncho-pulmonary or intestinal diseases.