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Amylase - urine - All Information

Definition of Amylase - urine:

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:

A urine sample is needed. The test may be performed using a single urine sample or a 24-hour urine collection. For information on how to collect a sample, see:

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
Birth control pills
Cholinergic drugs
Codeine
Corticosteroids
Indomethacin
Loop and thiazide diuretics
Methyldopa
Morphine
Pentazocine

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).

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.

What abnormal results mean:

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

Acute pancreatitis
Alcohol consumption
Cancer of the pancreas, ovaries, or lungs
Cholecystitis
Ectopic or ruptured tubal pregnancy
Gallbladder disease
Infection of the salivary glands (called sialoadenitis, may be caused bymumps or a blockage)
Intestinal obstruction
Pancreatic duct obstruction
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Perforated ulcer

Decreased amylase levels may be due to:

What the risks are:

There are no risks.

Female urinary tract

Male urinary tract

Amylase urine test

Reviewed last on: 6/1/2011
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Owyang C. Pancreatitis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 147.

Tenner S, Steinberg WM. Acute pancreatitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 58.

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