A-AMYL | Alpha Amylase

α-Amylase is an enzyme found in the salivary glands. The first stages of starch or glycogen breakdown begin under the influence of α-Amylase, resulting in high molecular weight carbohydrates (intermediate products of starch and glycogen breakdown - dextrins).

The highest activity of amylase is found in the tissues of the pancreas and salivary glands. There is no amylase in the stomach. α-Amylase is quite rapidly removed from the blood by the kidneys.

It is advisable to perform an α-Amylase test if an investigation of salivary gland inflammation is sought.

In children under 2 years of age, α-Amylase activity in the blood is very low. In cases of acute pancreatitis, the concentration of α-Amylase in the blood increases within the first 24 hours. The α-Amylase test is based on the differential diagnosis of acute surgical conditions: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal perforation, signs of peritonitis, intestinal vascular pathology. If a patient is found to have increased triglyceride concentration in the blood, the concentration of α-Amylase is falsely low. The concentration of α-Amylase in the blood may increase when taking morphine.

Under physiological conditions, total serum amylase is a mixture of pancreatic α-amylase and salivary gland α-amylase, and observing an increase in both amylases can suggest inflammation of the pancreas, abdominal cavity organs, or salivary gland pathologies.

Recommendations:

• It is recommended to perform preventively once a year, as one of the main indicators of liver function, for disease diagnosis and treatment control, performed periodically according to the doctor's instructions.
• Medications, diet, and alcohol consumption have an impact on the test results.
• It is necessary to fast for 12 hours before the test.