P-AMYL | Pancreatic amylase

Pancreatic α-amylase, compared to α-amylase, is a more sensitive and specific indicator of pancreatic inflammation.

Pancreatic α-amylase acts in the duodenum, where it breaks down starch and glycogen into maltose.

In diagnostics, pancreatic α-amylase is more significant than regular α-amylase or lipase. It does not increase with other pathological processes except those affecting the pancreas.

The concentration of pancreatic α-amylase in the blood may decrease in cases of pancreatic cancer, but in cases of secondary inflammation, the concentration may increase.

In newborns, the concentration of pancreatic α-amylase in the blood is 50 times lower than in adults. In the contents of pancreatic cysts, the activity of pancreatic α-amylase can be extremely high.

Pancreatic α-amylase and lipase are better laboratory indicators of acute pancreatitis than total α-amylase. In cases of acute pancreatitis, both enzymes - pancreatic α-amylase and lipase - usually increase.

Recommendations:

• It is recommended to perform it prophylactically once a year, in the presence of symptoms according to a doctor's prescription, and for treatment control, it is performed periodically according to a doctor's instructions.
• The test is influenced by medications, diet, various diseases, pregnancy, alcohol consumption, and drugs. Before the test, it is advisable not to take medications: corticosteroids, acetylsalicylic acid, dexamethasone, narcotic analgesics, oral contraceptives, diuretics, prednisolone preparations.
• For the test, you need to arrive fasting for 12-14 hours.