Health Encyclopedia

Amylase - urine

Definition

This is a test that measures the amount of amylase in urine. Amylase is an enzyme that helps digest carbohydrates. It is produced mainly in the pancreas and the glands that make saliva.

Amylase may also be measured with a blood test. See: Amylase - blood

How the test is performed

For this test, you must urinate into a special bag or container every time you use the bathroom for 24-hour period.

On day 1, urinate into the toilet when you wake up in the morning. Close the container tightly. Keep it in the refrigerator or a cool place during the collection period.
Urinate into the special container every time you use the bathroom for the next 24 hours.
On day 2, urinate into the container in the morning again when you wake up.
Label the container with your name, the date, the time of completion, and return it as instructed.

For an infant:

Thoroughly wash the area around the urethra (the hole where urine flows out). Open a urine collection bag (a plastic bag with an adhesive paper on one end). For males, place the entire penis in the bag and attach the adhesive to the skin. For females, place the bag over the two folds of skin on either side of the vagina (labia). Put a diaper on the baby (over the bag).

The infant should be checked frequently and the bag changed after the infant has urinated. Empty the urine from the bag into the container provided by your doctor.

Because lively infants can cause the bag to move, this procedure may take a couple of attempts. Extra collection bags may be necessary.

When finished, label and return the container as instructed.

How to prepare for the test

Your health care provider may tell you to stop taking certain drugs that can affect test results. Drugs that can increase amylase levels include:

Asparaginase
Aspirin
Pentazocine
Cholinergic agents
Corticosteroids
Indomethacin
Loop and thiazide diuretics
Methyldopa
Codeine
Morphine
Birth control pills

How the test will feel

The test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort.

Why the test is performed

This test is done to diagnose pancreatitis and other diseases that affect the pancreas. Your doctor may also order this test to see how treatment for such conditions is working.

Normal Values

The normal range is 2.6 to 21.2 international units per hour (IU/h).

What abnormal results mean

An increased amount of amylase in the urine is called amylasuria. Increased amylase levels may indicate:

Acute pancreatitis
Alcohol consumption
Cancer of the pancreas, ovaries, or lungs
Cholecystitis
Ectopic or ruptured tubal pregnancy
Gallbladder disease
Infection of the salivary glands (mumps or an obstruction)
Intestinal obstruction
Pancreatic duct obstruction
Perforated ulcer

Decreased amylase levels may be due to:

What the risks are

There are no risks.

Review Date:5/17/2007
Reviewed By:Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics and Psychiatry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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