Amylase

Test Code

AMYLASE

Alias/See Also

Chemistry

Preferred Specimen

Light Green Top Tube -Plasma

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Gold Top Tube

Transport Temperature

Refrigerate

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated (2-8°C): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C or colder): 1 year

Methodology
Enzymatic-DS

Setup Schedule

Daily

Report Available

TAT 1 day

Reference Range

25-125 UNITS/L

Clinical Significance

The major sources of amylase are the pancreas and the salivary glands. The most common cause of elevation of serum amylase is inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). In acute pancreatitis, serum amylase begins to rise within 6-24 hours, remains elevated for a few days and returns to normal in 3-7 days. Other causes of elevated serum amylase are inflammation of salivary glands (mumps), biliary tract disease and bowel obstruction. Elevated serum amylase can also be seen with drugs (e.g., morphine) which constrict the pancreatic duct sphincter preventing excretion of amylase into the intestine.

Performing Laboratory
Test performed in these BACL Chemistry Labs
Contact: Jonathan Dryjowicz-Burek, West Roxbury 857-203-5973
Alternate contact Joseph A. Manzone, Jamaica Plain 857-364-4645
Alternate contact Diane Robert BR 774-826-2294

Last Updated: May 17, 2022

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.