Amylase

Alpha-Amylase Test

What To Think About

• Pancreatitis usually causes levels of amylase in the urine to remain high for several days longer than blood amylase levels.
• Babies have little or no amylase at birth. By the end of the first year, a baby's amylase level is the same as an adult's level.
• Lipase is an enzyme produced only by the pancreas. A lipase test may be done at the same time as an amylase test when pancreatitis is suspected. For more information, see the medical test Lipase.
• Occasionally, a test that compares urine amylase with creatinine (a renal clearance ratio) may be done to help diagnose pancreatitis. For more information, see the medical test Creatinine.

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Author:	Ralph Poore	Last Updated: April 30, 2007
Medical Review:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Peter J. Kahrilas, MD - Gastroenterology
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