Amylase - what is it: enzyme levels in the blood and urine

Most processes in the human body are possible only with the participation of biologically active substances - enzymes that can accelerate various chemical reactions. A significant part of their impact is allocated to the digestion of food, and each of them is responsible for the implementation of one or another stage.

Since enzymes are not interchangeable, a decrease in the synthesis of any of them immediately affects metabolism, which manifests itself in a wide variety of pathologies. For example, based on the disruption of the production of amylase, which is synthesized mainly by the pancreas, it is easy to conclude that a disease of this organ is developing.

At the same time, to confirm the suspicion, a more thorough examination of the patient should be carried out to determine the specific cause of the changes. Interpretation of the results regarding this enzyme is quite simple, since the level of amylase in the blood of women and men is the same, only the indicators in children differ depending on age.

Reasons for violations

Exceeding the norm by several units while feeling normal does not really indicate a disease and, as a rule, is of a short-term nature. However, a large deviation in indicators is often accompanied by unpleasant symptoms:

• pain in the right abdomen, especially after eating;
• indigestion - nausea, diarrhea, vomiting;
• general poor health, lethargy and weakness, lack of sleep, decreased appetite.

The amylase level may deviate from the norm up or down.

Promoted

A high level of the enzyme very often indicates the following diseases:

• Acute pancreatitis is a process of inflammation in the tissues of the pancreas due to damage by its enzymes. The condition requires urgent hospitalization - ignoring an attack can lead to pancreatic necrosis, when the entire organ or part of it dies, and infections or peritonitis also develop. The amylase level in the blood can be 8 times higher.
• Chronic pancreatitis. It is characterized by a gradual disruption of the secretory activity of the pancreas and leads to a small (several times) increase in the level of enzyme content.
• Tumors in the pancreas.
• Gallstone disease is the appearance of stones in the gall bladder, liver or bile ducts.
• Pancreolithiasis – stones in the pancreas.
• Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease in which amylase consumption is not maintained.
• Mumps (popularly known as mumps) is an acute infectious disease in which the virus attacks the glandular organs and the central nervous system.
• Damage to the pancreas.
• Acute cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder.
• Perforation (repeating holes) of a stomach or duodenal ulcer.
• Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum. A very serious condition in which the pancreas becomes irritated and the activity of its cells increases, causing more amylase secretion.
• Acute appendicitis.
• Intestinal obstruction.
• Chronic renal failure is a process in which urine retention occurs in the body and amylase accumulates in the blood.
• Rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
• Alcohol intoxication.
• Wrong nutrition.
• Ectopic pregnancy or premature termination of pregnancy.
• Epstein-Barr virus – herpes type 4.
• Complications after abdominal surgery.
• Macroamylasemia is a disease in which large molecules are present in the blood; amylase combines with other blood proteins.
• Taking certain medications - narcotic analgesics, oral contraceptives, corticosteroids, diuretics and some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Hereditary factors that obstruct the excretion of amylase through the urine and its accumulation in the blood.
• Stress - affects metabolic processes in the body and can help increase the secretion of the enzyme.

Demoted

The condition appears against the background of the following pathologies:

• A decrease in the practicality of the pancreas is often caused by necrosis of part of the organ.
• Hepatitis - attracts a violation of carbohydrate metabolism, which increases the load on the enzymatic systems of the body. Because of this, amylase production gradually decreases.
• Oncological lesions of the pancreas - new formations cause degeneration of the organ tissue, due to which the secretion of amylase becomes impossible.
• Cystic fibrosis (cystic fibrosis) is a hereditary disease that affects the exocrine glands (including salivary glands) and disrupts the functions of the respiratory organs.
• Timely interventions with removal of part of the pancreas or the entire organ.

When is an amylase test necessary?

Indications for a blood test for a-amylase:

• Acute pain in the abdomen.
• Diagnosis of acute pancreatic diseases.
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment of pancreatic pathology (including cancer).
• Differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases.
• Mumps (inflammation of the parotid salivary glands).
• Cystic fibrosis.

The greatest value of a blood test for total amylase is to diagnose the cause of acute abdominal pain.
The clinical significance of serum amylase testing is the detection and management of acute pancreatic diseases.

The main reasons for the increase in total alpha-amylase in the blood:

— Acute pancreatitis — Abdominal trauma — Peritonitis — Chronic pancreatitis — Tumor, cyst or cancer of the pancreas — Acute cholecystitis, including calculous — Acute infectious hepatitis — Perforation of a stomach ulcer — Acute circulatory disorder of the abdominal organs, intestinal infarction — Intestinal obstruction, perforation intestines - Renal failure - Crohn's disease - Mumps - Macroamylasemia - Ectopic pregnancy - Ovarian pathology, salpingitis - Diabetic ketoacidosis

It is obvious that an increase in the activity of total a-amylase in the blood is observed not only in pathology of the pancreas.
But an increase of 3-5 times is almost always of pancreatic origin. A significant increase in serum alpha-amylase by 10 times or more with severe abdominal pain suggests acute pancreatitis*. *Pancreatitis – inflammation of the pancreas

Symptoms for which the doctor will prescribe a test

In the vast majority of cases, the reason for prescribing an amylase test is abdominal pain:

• attacks or constant;
• often strong, sudden, can even cause loss of consciousness;
• predominantly localized in the upper part;
• encircling;
• occur after spicy, fatty or fried foods, carbonated drinks;
• accompanied by bloating and vomiting, which does not bring relief.

An acute process is characterized by a drop in pressure, darkening of the eyes, palpitations and cold sweat.

In chronic inflammation, signs of digestive disorders predominate:

• diarrhea or loose stools;
• pale skin with a slightly yellowish tint;
• coated tongue.

A blood test for total alpha-amylase is also carried out in case of suspicion of:

• neoplasm;
• blockage of the pancreatic duct with a stone;
• damage due to injuries, operations;
• acute cholecystitis;
• rupture of an aneurysm (local expansion) of the abdominal aorta;
• perforated ulcer in the stomach or intestines;
• acute appendicitis;
• hepatitis.

A blood test for total alpha-amylase is carried out in case of suspected aneurysm rupture.
All of them give similar symptoms. Therefore, after detecting an increase in amylase, we can conclude that there is an acute inflammatory process and tissue destruction in the abdominal cavity. Further examination is necessary to make a diagnosis.

There is no point in performing the analysis at a late stage of cancer, after removal of part or all of the pancreas, as well as the rapid progression of pancreatitis. In all these cases, the study of alpha-amylase will be uninformative, since the number of cells capable of producing this enzyme decreases.

Why is an alpha-amylase test prescribed?

The level of amylase (from English Amylase) in the blood plasma is an indicator by which one can judge whether a patient has inflammatory diseases, such as diabetes, hepatitis and others.

An amylase test is prescribed primarily for people who have a clinical picture of pancreatic dysfunction. In acute and chronic pancreatitis, this study must be performed.

Blood diastase levels are determined on an empty stomach.

During biochemical analysis, you should refrain from eating fatty and spicy foods the day before donating blood.

Such foods may interfere with the secretion of pancreatic enzymes and lead to false results.

Decoding the analysis results

It is worth noting that amylase and alpha-amylase are not the same thing. AA is an enzyme that is included in the group of amylases along with others (beta-amylase, gamma-amylase). Only alpha-amylase has diagnostic significance in humans. For example, beta-amylase is not found in the human body.

Elevated alpha-amylase levels indicate a wide range of diseases. This characterizes the role that this enzyme plays in diagnosing problems of the digestive system.

Due to the wide range of possible diseases, self-diagnosis and self-medication are strongly discouraged. A doctor should be responsible for making a correct diagnosis and the correct course of therapy. He will evaluate the results of the analysis in combination with the anamnesis, data from other related studies and formulate the correct treatment.

An increase in amylase levels in the blood may indicate diseases:

• acute or chronic pancreatitis;
• mumps (inflammation of the parotid glands);
• ectopic pregnancy (a pathology in which the fetus develops outside the woman’s uterine cavity);
• diabetes;
• viral infections;
• blockage of pancreatic channels due to the formation of gallstones, scars;
• renal failure.

Additional reasons for increased alpha-amylase levels include taking certain medications (oral contraceptives, ibuprofen, corticosteroids, furosemide, captopril and others), and alcoholism.

There is no single strategy for treating excess alpha-amylase. It is necessary to approach each specific case separately. However, it can be recommended, along with medications prescribed by a doctor, to maintain strict bed rest, avoid prolonged contact with people, sleep more and exclude certain foods from the daily diet (alcohol, chocolate, coffee, spicy and sour foods).

Decreased alpha-amylase levels are less common. It may indicate enzyme deficiency of various origins (with such a diagnosis, additional research is required to identify the cause of the pathology), surgical removal of the pancreas, as well as cystic fibrosis (a hereditary disease characterized by damage to certain glands).

In addition to taking medications, patients with low alpha-amylase levels are advised to review their diet to reduce the amount of foods rich in starch. This supportive strategy makes it possible to facilitate digestion processes and reduce the consumption of alpha-amylase for the breakdown of carbohydrates.

For women during pregnancy, it is recommended to pay special attention to the analysis of pancreatic AA, since in a situation where blood counts deviate from the norm, they can have an extremely negative impact on the course of pregnancy. Very high alpha-amylase levels may indicate an ectopic pregnancy (as discussed earlier), which requires immediate medical attention.

Very high alpha-amylase levels may indicate an ectopic pregnancy (as discussed earlier), which requires immediate medical attention.

During pregnancy, women are prescribed an alpha-amylase test in combination with other studies of the digestive system (lipase and proteinase tests)

It is worth noting that for pregnant women it is especially important to keep blood counts normal, since they are responsible not only for their health, but also for the health of their unborn child

Norms of indicators in children and adults

The normal level of amylase is not associated with gender and in all people this figure ranges from 20 to 125 U/l. Only in children under 2 years of age the minimum level of this enzyme can be 5 U/l.

The pancreas is a very complex organ that simultaneously secretes hormones and digestive enzymes. Therefore, it is called a gland of mixed type of secretion.

A biochemical blood test shows the level of two interrelated indicators: total and pancreatic amylase. The amount of the latter is determined in order to identify the exact location of the pathology if it is present.

Amylase is also secreted by the salivary glands, so to identify problems with the pancreas, it is necessary to separate these indicators. Taking each of them separately, one can judge about disorders also in the salivary glands, ovaries and bronchi.

The norms of this enzyme for men, women and children are indicated in this table:

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The importance of amylase in the body

Amylase is a digestive enzyme primarily secreted by the pancreas. It is also produced by the salivary glands.

The main function of amylase is to break down starch into simpler forms - oligosaccharides. The enzyme causes them to break down and then be easily absorbed into the blood.

This process begins in the mouth as soon as food enters there. It is carried out by amylase of the salivary glands (S-type).

The action of the enzyme continues in the gastrointestinal tract. It comes here from the pancreas. The amylase that is produced in it is called pancreatic (P-type). It completes the process of starch breakdown.

Thanks to amylase, the carbohydrates it contains are successfully absorbed by the body. How well this happens depends on the action of the enzyme. Without amylase, the absorption of starch would be impossible, since the structure of its molecules is too complex and is not perceived by the body.

general characteristics

Amylase is a digestive enzyme present in the human mouth and gastrointestinal tract. It participates in carbohydrate metabolism and breaks down complex carbohydrates. Sometimes it can be found in the kidneys, liver and even mammary glands. There are three types of amylase; alpha is usually found in the human body. In the blood it is presented in two varieties.

Pancreatic amylase is produced by the pancreas. This variety is present in serum up to 40%. The rest is about 60%. This is salivary amylase. Blood tests indicate an increase in total amylase, usually due to its pancreatic variety. But sometimes pathologies of the salivary glands also cause an increase in this type of enzyme.

In healthy adult women and men, the level of amylase in the blood is approximately the same. It ranges from 25 to 125 U/l. In newborns, this enzyme is not yet produced, so its amount gradually increases, returning to normal only by the age of one year. Usually in a child in the first year of life it does not exceed 5–65 U/l. There may also be differences in older people. After 70 years, amylase levels can range from less than 20 U to more than 160 U, and this is normal.

Sometimes pancreatic amylase levels are also used for diagnosis. After all, it is precisely this that is an indicator of the normal functioning of the pancreas. Pancreatic amylase is usually determined in women, since they are more likely to experience fluctuations in this level due to hormonal imbalances, for example, during pregnancy or lactation. The norms for pancreatic amylase levels in women after 19 years of age range from 8 to 51 U/l. In infants up to six months it does not exceed 8 units. And from six months to 2 years, pancreatic amylase in the blood ranges from 1 to 31 units.

Action of amylase, Alpha amylase

The effect of α-amylase on starch is characterized by a rapid decrease in the viscosity of the solution and the molecular weight of oligosaccharides. The enzyme has a pronounced affinity for glycosidic bonds distant from the end of the molecule. Cleavage of the glycosidic bond occurs between the oxygen atom and the C1 atom of the glucose residue. The attack of the substrate is random and can be either single or multiple, when several fragments are sequentially split off from the substrate. Oligosaccharides containing less than 3 glucose units undergo hydrolysis. During the hydrolysis of amylopectin, the hydrolysis products, along with linear oligosaccharides, contain α-dextrins, which are branched sections of amylopectin molecules that are not affected by the reaction.

The process of starch breakdown can be clearly seen by the reaction of products with iodine. Blue color is characteristic of amylodextrins containing at least 45 glucose units (G45), purple – for dextrins G35-G40, red – for erythrodextrins G20-G30, brown – for dextrins G12-G15. Achroodextrins, which do not stain with iodine, have a value of no more than 12 glucose units. The formation of achroodextrins completes the first stage of starch hydrolysis. The accumulation of low molecular weight sugars occurs in the second, stationary, slow-flowing stage.

Various α-amylases, when exposed to starch for a long time, break it down into a mixture of oligosaccharides with a predominance of characteristic sugars. The final product of starch breakdown, glucose, is formed in small quantities.

Types of amylase

The function of alpha-amylase is the breakdown of carbohydrates

Despite the fact that clinical and diagnostic interest is associated with alpha-amylase, we will touch on all existing types of this enzyme.

• Alpha amylase is an enzyme that is divided into two types - secreted and non-secreted amylase. Simply put, the first type circulates in the body as it is released into the blood. Therefore, the enzyme level can be measured in the blood. The second type is intracellular and does not enter the bloodstream. Intracellular amylase helps break down polysaccharides into dextrins. Secreted amylase is of two types. 40 percent of the enzyme circulating in the blood is secreted by pancreatic cells. 60 percent is salivary amylase. In addition to the pancreatic and salivary glands, the enzyme is secreted by the mucous membrane of the small and large intestines, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and liver.
• Beta type is an enzyme that is found in plants, fungi and bacteria. Thanks to it, fruit starch is broken down into sugar, and this explains the sweet taste of ripe fruits. Although this type is not directly related to human physiology, it is widely studied in scientific and clinical laboratories. An enzyme involved in the metabolism of polysaccharides helps to obtain valuable information in the study of glycogenosis. This group includes hereditary diseases, which are based on impaired functioning of enzymes involved in the synthesis and breakdown of glycogen.
• Gamma type - glucoamylase. This type of amylase completely breaks down glycogen and starch into glucose. Gamma amylase is present in the human body and comes in two types: acidic and neutral amylase. Acidic is localized in lysosomes, neutral - in microsomes and hyaloplasm of cells. The ability of gamma-amylase to break down glycogen allows it to be used in the treatment of glycogenosis. The introduction of this enzyme into the body leads to an important therapeutic effect - a decrease in the amount of glycogen in vital organs - liver, heart, etc.

Amylases, enzymes of the amylolytic complex, -amylase, -amylase

The main form of storage carbohydrates in plant seeds and tubers is starch. Enzymatic transformations of starch form the basis of many food technologies. Therefore, enzymes of the amylolytic complex of plant, animal and microbial origin have been intensively studied since their discovery by Kirchhoff in 1814 to the present day.

The group of enzymes that hydrolyze starch (amylolytic) includes: α-amylase, β-amylase, glucoamylase, α-glucosidase, isoamylase, pullulanase. α-Amylase (α-1,4-glucan-4-glucanohydrolase, E.F.3.2.1.1) is an endo-type enzyme that hydrolyzes α-1,4-glycosidic bonds in starch polysaccharides and glycogen.

α-Amylases are found in animals (in saliva and pancreas), in plants (sprouted grains of wheat, rye, barley), they are produced by molds and bacteria.

Why is amylase lower than normal?

A decrease in alpha-amylase levels does not occur as often. This occurs in serious advanced pancreatic pathologies.

The most common reasons for a significant decrease in the amount of diastase are:

1. Pancreatic necrosis is the destruction of part of the pancreas as a result of the influence of alcohol, fatty foods, and diseases of the biliary tract. When necrosis is minor, normal amylase levels are maintained by increasing the activity of whole cells. As soon as most of the organ dies, the amount of diastase drops, including due to the depletion of still functioning cells.
2. Pancreatic cancer. Death of the gland as a result of the spread of malignant metastases.
3. Pancreatic resection. This operation is performed in the case of cysts in the organ, its cancerous transformation, necrosis.
4. Cystic fibrosis is a genetically determined disease manifested by a violation of the secretory function of the exocrine glands. The activity of not only the pancreas, but also the glands of the respiratory system is disrupted.

Cure

It doesn’t matter whether amylase in the blood is high or low, treatment should be aimed at removing the cause of the disorder. A deviation of the enzyme level from the norm usually has unpleasant results for the body, so deciphering the analysis results and selecting therapeutic measures should be done exclusively by the doctor.

How to reduce

To cause very high amylase levels

in the blood to normal, the following measures should be taken:

• Determine the source of the disease and carry out appropriate therapy. Additional tests and studies may be needed for diagnosis. Treatment in most cases involves taking medications, less often - timely intervention.
• If the disease is infectious (for example, mumps), you need to reduce contact with people. If, for example, the disease occurs in an acute form or is accompanied by attacks, treatment must be carried out in a hospital under the supervision of doctors.
• Reduce the level of physical stress as much as possible; it is best to perform bed rest.
• Stick to a rest regime - nightly sleep should last at least 8 hours.
• Diet. Spicy, smoked, fatty, sour foods, intoxicating drinks, coffee, chocolate, and pastries should be removed from the diet. Food should be cooked in the oven, steamed or boiled.
• Fractional meals. You should eat in small doses, 4-6 times throughout the day - such a strategy will reduce the load on the digestive system. It is best to also stick to separate meals, in other words, take proteins and carbohydrates separately.

How to increase

If, for example, the amylase level is below normal, you need to:

• Detect the disease that provoked the disorder and cure it.
• Dieting. A starch-free diet helps reduce enzyme consumption for digesting food. It is proposed to significantly reduce the consumption of sugar, cereals, flour, milk products, potatoes, cabbage and corn with different colors.

Why is amylase higher than normal?

The level of amylase in the blood in adults and children can rise significantly with the following pathologies:

1. Acute pancreatitis. In this case, the enzyme activity will be increased 5–10 times. Since this is an acute condition, the indicator begins to rise within a couple of hours after the pancreas is damaged. Amylase usually stays at this level for 3 to 5 days. Acute pain in the pancreas area may appear when the amount of diastase increases to 1000 U/l. But a sharp increase in acute pancreatitis is not always observed; in some patients, the enzyme level increases slightly or may remain within normal limits.

Very often there is no direct relationship between the increase in indicators and the severity of pancreatitis. This is a consequence of the rapid death of secretory cells, due to which the enzyme can be produced in normal quantities.

1. Over time, more and more pancreatic cells die, causing amylase to return to normal.
   Chronic pancreatitis. Amylasemia (increased amount of diastase in the blood) may be a manifestation of a chronic inflammatory process in the gland. Most often, there is a moderate increase in indicators.
2. Mechanical damage to the pancreas.
3. Tumor neoplasms.
4. Blockage of the pancreatic duct.
5. Acute inflammation in the abdominal area with appendicitis and diffuse peritonitis.
6. Perforation of gastric ulcers.
7. Surgical interventions on various organs.
8. Acute inflammation of the gallbladder.
9. Macroamylasemia is an uncommon pathology in which an enzyme binds to serum proteins, preventing it from passing through the kidney filter. As a result, amylase accumulates in the blood.

Violations of pancreatic function very often occur due to alcohol abuse, diet disorders, and viral infections.

If biochemistry does not reveal significant abnormalities in the level of diastase, this is not one hundred percent confirmation of the absence of pancreatic pathology. If the patient has symptoms characteristic of pathologies of this organ, the doctor may prescribe additional tests.

It is quite difficult to detect chronic pancreatitis.

In this case, the following studies may be useful:

• General blood analysis;
• Gastroscopy;
• Ultrasound of the pancreas;
• X-ray of the abdominal organs;
• CT;
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Pancreatic necrosis

Reduced level

Are there situations when alpha-amylase is low? Of course, much more often in clinical practice this enzyme is elevated, but sometimes values ​​close to zero are also found. This may happen when:

• a state of chronic sluggish pancreatitis, when very little healthy glandular tissue remains of the pancreas;
• this condition is characteristic of severe cystic fibrosis and occurs in early childhood.

Amylase is also reduced if the patient has had a significant part of the pancreas removed after surgery.

In any case, no matter what analysis the doctor receives, he must be guided by other results of laboratory tests and instrumental examination methods. But most importantly, he must question the patient and conduct a thorough examination. Only this seemingly simple method is the basis of clinical thinking and will allow you to make a correct diagnosis and begin timely treatment.

What can affect the result?

Taking medications can affect test results, these are drugs such as:

• oral hormonal contraceptives;
• narcotic painkillers;
• diuretics;
• medications containing adrenal hormones.

Taking these medications may result in incorrect test results. If you cannot stop taking the medication, you need to inform the doctor who is giving the referral for testing.

So, a biochemical blood test is the most important diagnostic procedure, which helps to make a diagnosis. However, the patient cannot independently interpret the test results. To make a diagnosis, you need to take into account not only the results of the analysis, but also other factors. Only after studying the examination results and assessing the symptoms will the doctor be able to make a diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment.

Blood amylase level

Almost all alpha-amylase is produced in two places - the salivary glands and the pancreas, which is why doctors divide it into salivary and pancreatic in a ratio of 60% to 40% (noticeably less in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, intestines and liver). A blood serum analysis determines their combined activity, since both are present in human blood. It is worth adding separately that alpha-amylase is excreted when processed by the kidneys, which means that if its concentration increases in the blood, it, accordingly, increases in the tested urine.

As for the normal level of alpha-amylase in the blood, the numbers, depending on the age of the person, look like this:

• 5–65 units per liter from two days to one year of age;
• 25-125 units per liter from one year to 70 years of age;
• 20-160 units per liter from age 70 years.

Normal indicators

Amylase is usually found in the blood in small quantities. In this case, the pancreatic substance is about 40%, and the substance produced by the salivary glands is 60%. When performing a biochemical blood test (BAC), two parameters characterizing this substance are assessed: the total amount and specifically pancreatic amylase.

Diagnostics is performed using the enzymatic colorimetric method. The amylase concentration is determined in units per 1 liter of blood (U/L). It is known that the biochemical processes in female and male bodies have some differences, but, despite this fact, the normal levels of this particular enzyme are the same for both sexes. They look like this:

Amylase normal levels for adults

Throughout almost the entire life of an adult, the alpha-amylase level is not prone to change, and only in older people does its range slightly expand. The lower limit decreases and the upper limit increases.

The average levels of alpha-amylase in the blood have a fairly wide range, which is due to the individual characteristics of a particular person. At the same time, the level of pancreatic amylase increases after adulthood, and then remains at the same level.

Amylase levels in children

In young children who have not yet reached the age of two, the alpha-amylase content should not go beyond 5–65 U/l. After 2 years, its level increases significantly. This is explained by the fact that from approximately this age, the child’s diet gradually begins to resemble an adult’s, and he adapts to foods that include starch.

During the described time period, normal enzyme values ​​can fluctuate in the range of 25–125 U/l. In this case, pancreatic amylase in children should have the following coefficients:

Normal values ​​of pancreatic amylase in children

During the first 12 months of life, the content of amylase in the serum of children is insignificant, but when they reach the age of one year, the enzyme produced by the pancreas increases almost 4 times. And in the puberty period, the indicators increase by several units.

Analysis indicator and its norm

There are three types of amylase in the human body: α-, β- and γ-amylase

The most important is alpha, and it is the one that is studied most often. This enzyme is responsible for the absorption of food within the small intestine

Alpha amylase is divided into two subtypes: P-type and S-type. If you delve deeper into the biochemistry of the blood, you can find out that the P-type is produced in the salivary gland, and the S-type in the pancreas.

Normally, the P-type of the enzyme should be 2 times lower than the S-type. Your attending physician will give you a more detailed explanation!

The normal level of amylase in the blood of women and men is the same. The indicator depends only on age. Although sometimes there is information about the permissibility of a slightly higher level of this enzyme in men (by 10 units/l).

Table

All indicators that are higher than the permissible (maximum) value are regarded as pathology.

However, it is important to consider that the result of the analysis can be affected by factors such as damage to the abdominal wall, deviation from diet, stress, taking alcoholic beverages and certain medications. Blood from a vein for amylase must be donated strictly on an empty stomach (preferably in the morning)

Do not smoke several hours before the test. The day before, adhere to a gentle diet: do not eat smoked and spicy foods, and also avoid fatty and indigestible foods.

Blood from a vein for amylase must be donated strictly on an empty stomach (preferably in the morning). Do not smoke several hours before the test. The day before, adhere to a gentle diet: do not eat smoked and spicy foods, and also avoid fatty and difficult-to-digest foods.

Analysis transcript

A woman's amylase levels may be elevated, decreased, or within normal limits.

Diseases that may indicate increased enzyme concentrations:

• Pregnancy. Pregnancy itself does not cause a jump in amylase, but its concentration may be affected by the presence of toxicosis;
• fixation of the fertilized egg in the fallopian tube (enzyme levels can increase eightfold);
• diseases of the digestive tract - pancreatitis, cholecystitis, peritonitis;
• cancer of the liver, pancreas or gallbladder;
• renal failure;
• parotitis;
• poisoning and intoxication;
• viral infections;
• diabetes mellitus type 2 (the first symptoms appear after 40 years).

Reasons for decreased amylase:

• destruction of pancreatic tissue;
• cancer processes in the abdominal organs;
• cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease that leads to dysfunction of the pancreas;
• absence of all or part of the gland.

If the test results are normal, but complaints persist, then in this case it is necessary to undergo a more thorough diagnosis. Some doctors recommend that their patients after 50 years of age undergo a complete examination of the digestive tract organs and take a biochemistry test every six months.

From the above it follows that the enzyme amylase plays an important role in the human body. When it fluctuates, a number of changes occur that have an unfavorable effect on the human body.

conclusions

In order to take a blood test for amylase levels, you need to remember some nuances. First of all, it is important to take the test in the morning, on an empty stomach. Two days before the procedure, you should limit your consumption of fatty and fried foods. Avoid taking medications if possible; otherwise, consult and warn your doctor.

Only a doctor can correctly decipher test results. If there are deviations in any direction, it is important to take into account individual characteristics and undergo other examinations in order to find out the true cause of this situation.

By approaching the problem comprehensively, you can start in a timely manner and achieve an effective treatment process.

Types of enzyme. What is pancreatic amylase

There are three types of blood amylase: alpha, beta and gamma amylase. Salivary gland amylase belongs to the group of alpha-amylases, which is a calcium-dependent enzyme and causes the cleavage of internal alpha-1,4 bonds in polysaccharides. Its role in the digestion of carbohydrates is insignificant, since the enzyme is almost completely neutralized in the acidic environment of gastric juice. The most important phase of the breakdown of polysaccharides occurs in the duodenum under the action of alpha-amylase and glycosidases of pancreatic juice, as well as sucrase of intestinal juice. Here the conversion of glycogen and starch into maltose is completed.

The enzyme pancreatic amylase is a chemical compound that is formed in various inflammatory diseases of the pancreas.

When is laboratory diagnostics necessary?

α-amylase is included in the list of indicators to be assessed as part of a biochemical blood test. This is a method of laboratory research of the physical properties and chemical composition of blood, which allows one to assess the functionality of internal organs and identify possible disorders.

The analysis is prescribed:

• for symptomatic patient complaints;
• for prevention purposes;
• to control the therapy.

The main direction of research into the digestive enzyme (pancreatic amylase) is the timely diagnosis and control of treatment of pancreatic diseases. Emergency diagnostics of alpha-amylase levels is carried out if:

• for acute inflammation of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis);
• inflammation of the serous covering of the peritoneum (peritonitis);
• ectopic pregnancy.

Important! With a high level of α-amylase in the blood against the background of acute pain in the left abdomen, radiating to the left clavicle and lower back, nausea and vomiting, accompanied by low-grade body temperature (37–38 °C), acute pancreatitis is 100% diagnosed.

Regular blood microscopy to determine the level of alpha-amylase is necessary for diabetics, patients with chronic pathologies of the pancreas and liver, and cancer patients. The blood sampling procedure is carried out in a laboratory, in the morning, and strictly on an empty stomach. To obtain objective final data, the patient is recommended to:

• three days before the analysis, eliminate fatty foods, hot seasonings and spices, and alcoholic beverages from the diet;
• stop taking medications (diuretics, enzymatic, hormone-containing, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs);
• On the eve of the procedure, limit sports and other physical activities.

The duration of fasting before the study is 8–12 hours.

Alpha amylase in blood - what is it?

This enzyme is designated by a Greek letter because it breaks down the alpha 1 - 4 bonds of complex sugars - carbohydrates. The function of amylase is to lyse or break down animal starch, which is called glycogen, and plant starch itself into glucose, maltose, galactose, sucrose and other easily absorbable substrates, depending on the types of repeating residues.

The breakdown of sugars in the oral cavity is the beginning of the process, then the food enters the stomach, where it is exposed to a sharply acidic environment, and then the food enters the duodenum, where a newly created favorable alkaline environment and again the amylase enzyme begins its work of breaking down carbohydrates. Only this time, an enzyme produced by the pancreas comes into play.

Since the enzyme has a very small molecule size, after it has done its job, it is absorbed into the blood in the duodenum. Therefore, these enzymes - both pancreatic (which is called P-type) and salivary (which is called S-type) are easily detected in a blood test.

The amylase levels in the blood plasma speak specifically about the importance of the secretion of the salivary glands and pancreas. There are other samples of glandular tissue that are capable of producing this compound and that cause an increase in amylase - these are the mammary glands during breastfeeding, parts of the intestines and liver, as well as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. But the amylase activity produced by these organs is so insignificant that it can be completely neglected.

By the way, historically there is another name for this enzyme - namely diastase. But in the clinic it so happens that diastase is called alpha-amylase that enters the urine, and the enzyme found in the blood is simply called amylase.

Alpha amylase is low in the blood

The tendency of amylase concentration to zero is a normal state. This is an indicator that the digestive gland is able to control the level of the active substance. In practice, the digestive enzyme content is never zero, and it is always determined in a blood test. At values ​​below the established minimum limit, they indicate a decrease in the enzyme activity of pancreatic cells.

Causes

Reduced α-amylase levels are associated with serious diseases and pathological conditions. Deviations from the norm are caused by:

• Total pancreatic necrosis. The pathology is characterized by self-digestion of the pancreas.
• Oncology stage 4. Normal pancreatic tissue is replaced by a malignant neoplasm.
• Cystic fibrosis. A hereditary disease that affects the exocrine glands.
• Operations. During surgery, most of the pancreas is removed.

Treatment and proper nutrition for high amylase

If you have a disease of the pancreas, you must strictly adhere to the diet. If you have a disease of the pancreas, you must strictly adhere to your diet. Any lesions of the pancreas are dangerous and serious pathologies, so only a doctor in specialized medical institutions can treat them. He will prescribe the necessary studies and, based on the results of the tests obtained, will be able to determine the severity of the disease and prescribe the necessary medications and prescribe the necessary treatment.

At home, diet is of paramount importance for the patient: It is urgently necessary to exclude from the menu:

• fried,
• fatty and spicy dishes,
• remove smoked meats,
• red meat,
• pickling,
• rich soups and broths,
• fatty and spicy sauces,
• spices and seasonings.

Not allowed:

• alcohol,
• tobacco,
• strong black coffee
• tea,
• artificial drinks and highly carbonated waters.

The patient needs to be provided with rest and proper dietary nutrition at short intervals and in limited portions. In case of damage to the pancreas, any amateur activity in the field of treating the disease can cause extremely dangerous consequences for health, since this organ is very sensitive and can react negatively to the wrong treatment.

It is necessary to strictly adhere to the doctor’s instructions and strictly follow his recommendations.

Possible complications Complications

If pancreatic amylase is elevated, this is an indicator of the dysfunction of the pancreas and, as a result, in the absence of timely and well-chosen treatment, can lead to the development of the following diseases and conditions:

• In women, pancreatitis is very often accompanied by disruption of the gallbladder and the development of cholelithiasis.
• A progressive disease can cause metabolic disorders and the development of anemia, lack of vitamins, which is manifested by low body weight, increased dryness of the skin, brittle nails and hair.
• Problems of this organ lead to the development of diabetes.
• Due to indigestion, food is poorly digested and not absorbed, which can cause severe flatulence, intestinal pain, diarrhea and frequent visits to the toilet.

Such serious problems force us to pay more attention to our health and, if a disease is detected as a result of a test, immediately begin the necessary treatment and switch to a strict diet.

Treatment of pancreatic diseases

When there is inflammation in the pancreas, doctors prescribe the patient not only drug therapy, but also proper nutrition.

Also read: Is there a fever with pancreatitis?

Treatment should only be prescribed by a doctor, since those treatment methods and medications that are suitable for one patient are completely unsuitable for another.

Basic measures for the treatment of pancreatitis:

1. At the time of exacerbation of pancreatitis, fasting is prescribed for 2 days.
2. Give up bad habits (alcohol, nicotine). Otherwise, it will lead to an increase in amylase in the blood.
3. Exclude fried, spicy and fatty foods from your diet.
4. Fast food is strictly prohibited.

In the diet for pancreatitis, it is necessary to include fruits and vegetables and adhere to a gentle diet to reduce the load on the affected organ. Eat small meals, about 5-6 times a day.

If amylase levels are elevated, doctors prescribe drug therapy. Antibiotics that belong to the penicillin series are prescribed.

• Augmentin. The drug is dispensed only with a prescription, as it has a strong spectrum of action. The main component of the drug is amoxicillin, presented in the form of trihydrate.
• Amoxicillin is prescribed, a semi-synthetic antibiotic that has a strong antibacterial effect.

If these drugs do not bring a positive result and the amylase level continues to rise, then the patient is prescribed drugs from the cephalosporin group. The drug Cefuroxime has proven itself well.

The production of this enzyme can be suppressed using specific antidotes. The drug Trasylol or Aprotinin is used in the treatment of pancreatitis.

In case of pronounced pain, the patient is prescribed antispasmodic drugs: Papaverine, No-shpa. To relieve the inflammatory process in the pancreas, a short course of antihistamines is prescribed, for example: Tavegil or Suprastin.

To reduce amylase, you can also use traditional methods of treatment. Tea based on mint, a decoction of chamomile or St. John's wort helps well. Use traditional recipes only after consulting a doctor; this will help avoid serious health complications.

Now you know what pancreatic amylase is and what its significance is. Remember that low or high levels may indicate the development of a pathological process. Therefore, it is better to undergo examinations on time and begin treatment.

In what cases is analysis prescribed?

In most cases, a blood amylase test is prescribed when there is a suspicion that the patient has pancreatitis. Also, this analysis is often prescribed in the following cases:

• for abdominal pain of unknown origin;
• if peritonitis is suspected;
• when detecting neoplasms in the pancreas - tumors, cysts;
• for diabetes.

The results obtained will confirm or refute the presumptive diagnosis.

How is the procedure performed?

In order for the analysis to show correct results, it is necessary that the patient prepares for it correctly. The preparation rules are simple:

• if the patient is taking any medications, be sure to inform the doctor about this, since some drugs can distort the examination result;
• A blood sample is taken in the morning strictly on an empty stomach (last meal no less than 12 hours before the procedure);

What does low pancreatic amylase mean?

When, after a sharp increase, the level of the digestive enzyme begins to decrease, this means that the pancreas begins to control and retain the enzyme, thereby the person is on the mend.

Elevated cholesterol can cause decreased activity of pancreatic amylase.

However, it is worth paying attention to the important point that a low level does not always indicate recovery. In most cases, a reduced level of this enzyme means that it is amylase in the human body that is missing (the pancreas stops producing it in the required quantity).

Against this background, a person can develop quite serious illnesses.

For example:

1. Total pancreatic necrosis. Disease of the abdominal organs is extremely rare. The patient experiences pain in the left side of the abdomen and signs of intoxication appear. With this disease, dehydration of the body develops against the background of signs of dehydration, in other words, constant vomiting, low diuresis and dry mouth.
2. Pancreatic cancer stage 4.
3. High cholesterol.

Also read: Constipation with pancreatitis, what to do, causes, treatment methods

If pancreatic amylase is below the normal level, then the cause may be hidden in congenital problems. For example: at the time of gene mutation, disruption of enzyme functionality - cystic fibrosis. This disease is transmitted genetically.

If for some reason doctors had to remove part of the pancreas, this will also affect amylase levels.

Preparing for the test

The patient must be prepared for the test

To determine the level of amylase, venous blood is taken. The study is carried out on an empty stomach. As with most laboratory tests, the patient must be minimally prepared for the test. Preparation does not require much effort or time. It is important to remember the following:

• no alcohol;
• exclude fried and spicy foods the day before;
• You cannot drink tea and coffee in the morning; ordinary drinking water is allowed;
• It is not recommended to take blood samples immediately after some diagnostic procedures - fluorography, radiography, ultrasound, physiotherapeutic procedures;
• no medications on the day of the test. It is especially important to discontinue the following: captopril, furosemide, ibuprofen, oral contraceptives, corticosteroids, narcotic analgesics;
• do not smoke before the test;
• exclude morning sports;
• cancel the bathhouse and sauna the day before;
• 15-minute rest before the procedure.

Changes in amylase levels are observed in the first 12 hours

An increase in amylase activity is observed in the first 12 hours. The important point is that amylase does not have its own “gold standard”. Its concentration in the blood can fluctuate significantly during the day. Each laboratory has its own indicators depending on the diagnostic methods used to determine the enzyme concentration. Normal blood amylase levels in people under 50 years of age are as follows:

• Total alpha-amylase - in serum or plasma up to 100 units per liter;
• Pancreatic amylase - in serum or plasma up to 53 units per liter.

After the 50-year mark, the range of permissible values ​​is from 25 to 120 units per liter.

In children of the first year of life, laboratory parameters differ. The range of normal values ​​is from 5 to 65 units per liter.

For what symptoms is a test prescribed?

The level of amylase in the blood shows that there are no inflammatory processes in the body, and metabolic reactions are normal. The normal blood amylase level in adults indicates the presence or absence of a disease such as pancreatitis. Biochemistry is prescribed to test blood from a vein. Sometimes laboratory tests are performed by collecting urine. The choice of biological material is influenced by the set of side symptoms that determine a particular disease in the patient.

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Suspicions of pancreatic pathology are the main incentive to prescribe an analysis to determine the level of amylase in the blood of women. It is especially important to determine the level of alpha-amylase in the blood for patients over 50 years of age. Why exactly the number 50?

It is during this period that age-related changes in internal organs occur, and diseases of the digestive system develop, which means that the amount of alpha-amylase in the blood is increased.

What to do if the enzyme level is not normal? You need to figure out which direction the deviation is going and by how much. Minor fluctuations are usually not taken into account when making a diagnosis. Most often, they are an error in laboratory tests.

Changes in alpha amylase levels in children

The pancreas in children, like other internal organs, does not function actively enough. Over the years, it matures and digestion normalizes. A provoking factor is the consumption of excessive amounts of sweets, carbonated drinks, a tendency to snack or long breaks between meals.

To prevent or get rid of existing disorders in the pancreas, you should follow your food intake, eliminate everything harmful and avoid snacking. The menu must include soups based on meat, vegetables and grains. Mayonnaise, ketchup and other sauces should be completely avoided, especially if negative pancreatic symptoms have already been noted.

Alpha amylase is elevated in the blood: the causes can be eliminated by following simple rules. In order to reduce the load on the child’s digestive tract, it is recommended to grind food to a puree using a blender or a special kitchen crush.

A small child should be fed with a teaspoon; older children should be reminded to chew their food thoroughly, moistening it generously with saliva. To normalize health, you should not overfeed your child. Small meals throughout the day will improve digestion and facilitate the functioning of internal organs. If you have problems with the pancreas, Creon capsules are well suited.

Their contents look like small balls. There will be no problems with swallowing. You should just immediately give the drug a small amount of water to drink, without allowing the child to bite into the granules.

Against the background of inflammation of the pancreas, eating is very difficult. Due to insufficient nutrition and hypersecretion of digestive enzymes, gastritis may develop or an exacerbation of an existing chronic form may occur. Bee honey is a very effective natural remedy.

To purchase a natural product, it is better to contact honest beekeepers. Among your acquaintances there will probably be someone who can give you the contacts of a reliable person. The only condition for the successful outcome of such therapy is to take it in small portions, alternating with tea or water.

Surgery is one of the causes of increased alpha amylase in the blood.

The main thing to remember is that honey does not tolerate heat. Therefore, you cannot mix it with hot tea. If this rule is not followed, harmful carcinogenic substances are formed, and all benefits disappear.

Elevated levels of alpha amylase in the blood can and should be corrected.

Values ​​below the reference values ​​indicate causes related to the defective functioning of the liver, thyroid or pancreas. In adolescents and young children, too low numbers indicate possible genetic pathologies such as cystic fibrosis, fermentopathy and others. Therefore, timely treatment is necessary for normal development in the future.

Decreased alpha amylase levels

Detection of a decrease in this enzyme in the blood has less diagnostic value than an increase. Typically, this situation indicates massive necrosis of secretion-producing pancreatic cells during acute inflammation, or a decrease in their number during a chronic process.

Reduced alpha amylase in serum can be an additional criterion for diagnosing the following conditions:

• Pancreatic necrosis.
• Chronic pancreatitis with severe enzymatic deficiency (in patients suffering from this disease for a long time).
• Severe hepatitis.
• Thyrotoxicosis.
• Cystic fibrosis is a systemic disease affecting the exocrine glands.

A decrease in amylase is observed in cases of massive burns, toxicosis of pregnancy, and diabetes mellitus. Elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels can also lower amylase levels.

7 minutes Author: Lyubov Dobretsova 2668

The enzyme alpha-amylase is an organic protein substance synthesized in the human body. The main producers of the enzyme are the mixed secretion pancreas and the exocrine (exocrine) salivary glands. The enzyme is detected in minute amounts in the liver, lungs, kidneys, intestines, and uterine appendages in women.

During examination, the substance is found in biological fluids (urine and blood). Its concentration must comply with accepted standards for laboratory microscopy. Alpha-amylase in the blood is reduced most often in liver pathologies and tumor processes. An elevated level of the enzyme indicates the development of pancreatic pathologies.

Total α-amylase in the blood is divided into pancreatic diastase (P-type) and salivary amylase (S-type), in a percentage ratio of 40% to 60%. The main purpose of amylase is the breakdown of complex carbohydrates (glycogen and starch) into their constituent monosaccharides and their residues.

In laboratory diagnostics of urine, diastase (pancreatic α-amylase filtered in the renal apparatus) and the concentration of alpha enzyme in the blood are assessed. A urine test is considered more informative, since filtration and excretion of the substance is carried out by the renal apparatus. A small amount of pancreatic enzyme enters the systemic circulation.

Reasons for the increase

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The digestive process involves many microelements and organic substances, with the help of which starch, carbohydrates, fats, etc. are broken down. One of them is amylase. The enzyme actively breaks down carbohydrates and starch into simpler compounds. Amylase is formed in the glands: mammary (in pregnant women), salivary, pancreas, as well as in the kidneys and liver.

If alpha amylase is too high, it is very possible for some pathological process to develop in the body. Timely diagnosis will allow you to prescribe the correct treatment. When studying the concentration of the enzyme in the blood, special attention is paid to alpha amylase, since these organic substances directly affect the functioning of the digestive system.

Reasons for the presence of alpha enzyme in the blood #8212; possible diseases or injuries of the pancreas, digestive system organs. At the same time, as a rule, the functioning of the damaged organ is disrupted. A blood test for alpha amylase content is prescribed by a specialist to determine pathologies associated with the salivary gland, pancreas, and stomach. A reduced amylase concentration may be a consequence of diseases of the salivary glands, chronic pancreatitis and other diseases.

The causes of painful processes in the digestive system in adults or children are a possible increase in amylase levels several times. In particular, the symptoms are as follows:

• pain in the right side of the abdomen, often after eating;
• weakness, malaise;
• the appearance of diarrhea.

The main reasons for diagnosing amylase in the blood are pronounced pain and increased functioning of the pancreas. It actively produces organic matter, which immediately enters the circulatory system. This happens due to the increased production of pancreatic juice, a special liquid medium that is produced by the pancreas into the duodenum.

What to do if there are certain doubts about the normal amylase level. First of all, take a biochemical blood test. It is prescribed by a specialized specialist to determine the presence of various pathologies in the body. Venous blood is taken for research. The test must be taken in the morning, on an empty stomach.

For adult men and women, the usual level ranges between 25-125 U/L. In people over 70 years of age, the normal level is 20-160 U/l. In children under two years of age, this value should be in the region of 5-65 U/l. Acute abdominal pain can cause high levels of the enzyme. Therefore, together with other studies, the doctor is obliged to prescribe a biochemical blood test and then select a comprehensive treatment.

Elevated amylase can be a consequence of serious illnesses.

• Mumps. The disease is better known as mumps. With this disease, the salivary glands involved in the secretion of organic matter become inflamed.
• Diabetes. A complex pathology, which is based on metabolic disorders, as a result of which the level of amylase is inconsistent. The enzyme content in the blood increases.
• Neoplasms in the pancreas. The cause of the increase in amylase is considered primarily to be a cancerous tumor. In this case, the density of organic matter will increase several times.
• Kidney failure. Diseases associated with the kidneys destroy the proper functioning of the excretory functions, which leads to the accumulation of the enzyme in the body and in particular in the blood.
• Peritonitis. Severe pathology, which is based on inflammation of the peritoneum. Malfunctions in the functioning of the pancreas lead to the activity of its cells and further, increased concentration of the enzyme.
• Cholelithiasis.

When amylase is elevated, chronic pancreatitis may develop. Pancreatic dysfunction provokes an increase in organic matter in the blood up to five times.

However, this is not a complete list of possible reasons why amylase increases. Enzyme levels may be high due to other symptoms, such as:

• abortion;
• alcohol abuse;
• herpes virus;
• ectopic pregnancy;
• complications after surgery;
• obstruction of the intestinal tract;
• macroamylasemia.

It also makes sense to add: violation of proper nutrition, taking medications (contraceptives, diuretics, contraceptives, captopril, ibuprofen, cytemedine, furosemide), genetic diseases. All this can increase amylase in the blood. Even after severe stress, the enzyme concentration increases.

What to do and what to do if the diagnosis reveals the fact of elevated amylase? In this case, blood tests alone are not enough. To prescribe complex therapy, additional tests will be required, and only on the basis of all the data will the doctor be able to determine the cause of the anomaly. If acute pathologies have been identified, immediate treatment is required, and in frequent cases it will take place within the walls of a hospital.

The basis of recovery is considered to be a proper diet, since alpha amylase is a digestive enzyme. The patient will be required to give up his usual lifestyle, if it was incorrect in terms of diet, and switch to consuming recommended products. This rule primarily applies to those patients who have been diagnosed with dangerous diseases: pancreatitis, diabetes, and the like.

To reduce the load on the gastrointestinal tract, the patient will have to refrain from large portions.

He should eat in small quantities - four, five times a day. There will be a taboo on alcoholic drinks, coffee, and strong tea. Doctors, if the enzyme level is high, recommend separate meals to improve well-being. You will also have to give up baked goods, fatty, smoked, fried foods, marinades, garlic, onions, and radishes.

Prefer steamed food cooked in a double boiler. Smoking during the period of therapy is not recommended. You should monitor the level of protein in the food you eat and avoid foods high in fiber. It stimulates the growth of organic matter. The following are considered healthy: vegetable soups, fish and lean meats, cereal porridges, natural juices, non-acidic cottage cheese.

When should you check your amylase levels?

In the absence of pathologies, the main part of the enzyme is found in the intestines. The development of diseases leads to the fact that the substance enters the bloodstream massively. It manifests itself in various inflammatory diseases, but

The main indication for the study is signs of pancreatitis. Amylase in the blood is detected by biochemical analysis. The biomaterial is taken from a vein on an empty stomach.

Exceeding the enzyme level by several units may be temporary and not affect the patient’s well-being. If the indicators doubled or more, then pathological processes began in the body. The following symptoms may indicate them:

• lethargy;
• pain in the right side of the abdomen (worsens after eating);
• general weakness;
• bowel disorder (constipation, diarrhea).

Causes of Low Alpha Enzyme

A low result also does not bring confidence in the normal functioning of the digestive organs. For example, a result with numbers below 25 U/L is negative and therefore also requires appropriate treatment. As a rule, such indicators occur with pancreatic insufficiency, after pancreatitis or pancreatic necrosis. The presence of cystic fibrosis, which is a hereditary disease and is characterized by disruption of the functioning of the common digestive glands in the body, also contributes to a low level.

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A little about amylase

Amylase is secreted by the pancreas and in minimal doses by the glands responsible for the production of saliva. This is one of the components of pancreatic juice. The main participant in all processes of food digestion, including the breakdown of carbohydrates.

Ideally, there should be a minimum amount of amylase in the body. Its level may change slightly due to the formation of new cells of the salivary glands and pancreas.

Scientists have proven that a rather small percentage of the substance is concentrated in the bronchi, skeletal muscles, small and large intestines.

Amylase comes in three types: alpha, beta and gamma amylase. Doctors in biochemistry are always interested exclusively in the level of alpha-amylase, since its role in the digestion process is important.

This digestive component begins its work in the oral cavity. It’s not for nothing that traces of it are present in saliva.

The digestibility of “heavy” carbohydrates by the intestines depends on how hard the alpha enzyme works.

Reasons and mechanisms for increasing the indicator

Correct interpretation of test results to determine the concentration of amylase in blood plasma or urine can really help in diagnosing a number of diseases. In clinical practice, we most often encounter situations where amylase or diastase is increased. This shows what happened:

• Increased secretory activity of the pancreas;
• The presence of an obstruction in the pancreatic ducts or their compression, which impedes the outflow of pancreatic juice containing amylase;
• Damage to pancreatic tissue by a traumatic, inflammatory, necrotic (destructive) or tumor process.

Therefore, increased blood alpha-amylase and urine diastase are specific markers for the following diseases of the pancreas and its ducts:

1. With exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis;
2. For acute pancreatitis, focal pancreatic necrosis (self-destruction of gland tissue by enzymes), peripancreatic infiltrate or in the initial stages of severe pancreatic necrosis;
3. Pancreas cancer. The amylase norm is exceeded to a greater extent when the tumor is located in the area of ​​the head and body of the organ;
4. Various types of cholelithiasis with choledocholithiasis (migration of stones into the bile ducts);
5. Damage to the large duodenal papilla of the duodenum in the form of stenotic papillitis, impacted stones and cancerous tumors.

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Normal for men by age

The discrepancy between enzymatic activity lies in the fact that with the change of periods of a person’s life, the indicators of enzyme activity also change. The level of the enzyme is also significantly influenced by external factors, for example, long-term use of medications or drugs, or serious physical injury.

At the same time, the patient’s gender has almost no serious influence on the final readings - the norm in most cases remains fixed.

Despite the fact that the female and male bodies, for the most part, have the same enzyme levels, male physiology is more open to diseases of the pancreas, while the female body is more resistant.

But the patient’s age, on the other hand, is very important for determining the level of amylase in the blood.

Blood analysis

We can talk about an increase in the level of the enzyme if the pancreatic amylase indicator is more than 50 units, alpha-amylase - above 105 units. When making a diagnosis, the doctor considers the following pathological changes.

For modern medicine, analysis of blood enzymatic activity is one of the most significant aspects of activity, which is used in the laboratory biochemical study of blood.

This is due to the possibility of accurately establishing the norm at which various enzymes are concentrated in the plasma, formed with the participation of organs, on which, accordingly, special attention is focused in laboratory analysis.

This specificity makes it possible to use them as research criteria in extremely limited areas of medicine.

This article will talk about one of these specific indicators - the amylase level (also known as alpha-amylase), which plays an important role in the laboratory study of pancreatic diseases.

Amylase is usually measured by taking a sample of your blood, although in some cases a urine sample can also be used to determine the amount of amylase in your body. An amylase blood test is usually done when your doctor suspects you have a pancreatic problem such as pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, or gallstones.

Symptoms vary for different diseases, but they may include:

• severe abdominal pain;
• loss of appetite;
• fever;
• nausea;

A blood amylase test is invaluable when it comes to detecting and monitoring the clinical course of pancreatitis. This type of laboratory diagnostics is regularly ordered in cases where a patient presents with acute abdominal pain, which is not surprising - after all, this study, which is carried out quite quickly and easily, is very specific for various forms of pancreatitis.

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Expert opinion

Kovaleva Elena Anatolyevna

Doctor-Laboratory Assistant. 14 years of experience in clinical diagnostic services.

Pancreatic acinar cells secrete alpha-amylases in the pancreatic duct, after which the amylases move to the duodenum. Then, once in the intestines, these enzymes participate in the catabolism of carbohydrates, helping complex carbohydrates to be digested into simple sugars.

It is the enzyme that is produced by the pancreas of the human body that is called in medicine

. This enzyme is a very important factor in pancreatic pathologies, so if the result of laboratory diagnostics turns out that some amylase indicators have deviated from the norm, this may be a direct indicator of the occurrence of inflammation in the body, which can lead to

Patients with chronic pancreatitis, or patients with total hemorrhagic pancreatic necrosis, after the destruction of pancreatic cells, often do not have high amylase levels because there may simply not be enough pancreatic cells left in their body to synthesize alpha-amylase enzymes.

Before donating blood for testing, the patient should prepare a little.

First of all, you should avoid drinking alcohol before your blood donation procedure. You should also tell your doctor about any medications you were taking shortly before your appointment. Some medications directly affect test results, so you may need to stop taking certain medications or change your dosage temporarily.

Here are some medications that should not be taken before visiting the laboratory:

• aspirin;
• contraceptive drugs;
• asparaginase;
• ethacrynic acid;
• methyldopa;
• any opiates such as codeine, pethidine and its analogues, as well as morphine;
• Thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics;
• Drugs that can cause low blood amylase levels include citrates, oxalates, and glucose.

Options for interpreting test results during diagnosis can vary significantly, depending on the principles of the laboratory staff themselves, and on what exactly they consider to be the norm when talking about the amount of amylase in the blood.

Thus, some laboratories define normal values ​​as 23-85 units per liter (U/L), while others consider 40-140 U/L to be normal. So the best thing to do is simply discuss the results of your individual study with your doctor.

Deviations from the norm can occur due to a number of factors. Amylase levels can become too high or too low.

High amylase levels may occur under the following conditions:

• Acute or chronic pancreatitis occurs when pancreatic enzymes, which normally digest nutrients in the intestines, begin to digest the gland itself, destroying its tissue and causing severe pain to the person. Acute pancreatitis occurs suddenly, but does not last very long. Chronic pancreatitis, however, does not stop over time.
• Cholecystitis is an inflammation of the gallbladder, usually caused by gallstones. Gallstones are hard deposits of digestive fluid that form in the gallbladder and cause blockages. Cholecystitis can sometimes be caused by the development of a tumor.
• Macroamylasemia occurs when macroamylase is present in the blood. Macroamylase is amylase combined with other blood proteins.
• Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract that can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
• A perforated ulcer is a condition in which the lining of the stomach or intestines becomes inflamed, developing ulcers. When an ulcer makes its way all the way through the stomach or intestinal tissue, it is called a perforation. This is a reason to call emergency medical assistance.
• Amylase is present in the salivary glands, gallbladder and fallopian tubes. Situations involving these organs will also be associated with elevated amylase levels. These include acute cholecystitis, mumps (mumps), and ruptured ectopic pregnancy.
• Diabetic ketoacidosis.

Expert opinion

Kovaleva Elena Anatolyevna

Doctor-Laboratory Assistant. 14 years of experience in clinical diagnostic services.

There are also many other factors that can lead to excess amylase levels in the blood, including inflammation of the salivary glands and blockages in the intestinal tract.

Low amylase levels may indicate the following problems:

• Preeclampsia is a condition that occurs when you have high blood pressure and are pregnant. It is also known as “toxicosis of pregnancy”.
• Kidney disease caused by direct injury to the kidneys and causing severe bleeding or lack of oxygen.

We remind you that regardless of the diagnostic results, you should discuss the laboratory test results with your doctor.

The discrepancy between enzymatic activity lies in the fact that with the change of periods of a person’s life, the indicators of enzyme activity also change. The level of the enzyme is also significantly influenced by external factors, for example, long-term use of medications or drugs, or serious physical injury.

At the same time, the patient’s gender has almost no serious influence on the final readings - the norm in most cases remains fixed.

Despite the fact that the female and male bodies, for the most part, have the same enzyme levels, male physiology is more open to diseases of the pancreas, while the female body is more resistant.

But the patient’s age, on the other hand, is very important for determining the level of amylase in the blood.

If pancreatitis is suspected or detected, laboratory workers may request part of the urine for examination, since in the presence of an inflammatory process, pancreatic enzymes can be excreted along with the urine.

Most often, a study of this enzyme is prescribed due to acute or chronic pancreatitis or if it is suspected. You should not eat anything before the procedure. The analysis is carried out early in the morning. The blood needed for the study is taken from a vein.

Blood for analysis is taken from a vein

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A blood amylase test is indicated if there is a suspicion of the following diseases:

• Liver inflammation;
• Inflammation of the pancreas;
• Diabetes;
• Mumps – inflammation of the salivary glands of infectious etiology;
• Neoplasms in the form of a cyst;
• Vascular atherosclerosis;
• Neoplasms in the pancreas;
• Stagnation of pancreatic secretion.

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Blood collection is carried out on an empty stomach in the morning. A few days before donating blood for amylase analysis, stop taking medications that normalize blood pressure, anti-inflammatory, painkillers, diuretics, as well as hormonal birth control pills.

24 hours before blood sampling, you must stop eating fatty and spicy foods. In extraordinary cases, for example, in the presence of symptoms characteristic of peritonitis, blood is taken immediately after the patient calls the ambulance.

Amylase breaks down carbohydrates in the blood

What is amylase in a biochemical blood test?

Amylase is a glycoside hydrolase enzyme that is synthesized by the body. The main part is produced by the pancreas. A small amount of the enzyme is synthesized by other internal organs, as well as the salivary glands.

Amylase takes an active part in carbohydrate metabolism. The main function of the enzyme is to regulate the activity of the digestive system, break down starch and modify it into a digestible substance.

The enzyme is divided into two types:

• Alpha amylase. Another name is salivary amylase. This is an enzyme that is synthesized in the salivary glands and pancreas. The digestion process depends on its concentration.
• Pancreatic amylase. This is part of alpha amylase. This enzyme is synthesized only in the pancreas. It has a direct effect on the digestive process occurring in the duodenum.

Amylase is not only synthesized by the pancreas, but is also part of pancreatic juice. Here she takes an active part in the breakdown of complex substances.

If we talk about what an enzyme shows in a blood test, then its deviations from the norm indicate various pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.

What is the function of this substance

What is normal amylase, and why is it needed? First of all, the enzyme acts as a catalyst. It is otherwise called alpha-amylase. It breaks down carbohydrates, which are necessary for energy. Foods rich in carbohydrates are affected by this biologically active substance.

This process is especially important for foods that contain glycogens and starches. These components are not absorbed by the digestive system in their natural state. A pancreatic enzyme breaks them down, converting them into carbohydrates. It then stimulates the metabolism of carbohydrates, converting them into energy.

The enzyme is produced in the pancreas and salivary glands. The enzymes that the pancreas synthesizes are called pancreatic amylase. The level of amylase in the blood is normal in adults and is an indicator of the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

This enzyme is extremely necessary for our body, and its content is an indicator of the presence of diseases. If the enzyme is elevated, then this is the first incentive to order a study to determine why elevated alpha-amylase is detected in the blood. It is carried out by doing a blood amylase test. Typically, the result of the analysis is the indicator: the norm of alpha-amylase.

Amylase during pregnancy

Amylase levels increase during ectopic pregnancy

There is a separate question about the level of alpha-amylase during ectopic (ectopic) pregnancy. If the fertilized egg has attached to the endometrium in the uterus, then amylase levels are no different from those before pregnancy. An increase or decrease in the concentration of the indicator may occur in the above conditions. If implantation of the fertilized egg occurs in the fallopian tube or ovary, the level of the indicator increases approximately 8 times. This is due to the fact that the fallopian tubes and ovaries begin to actively secrete this enzyme.

How is amylase determined in pregnant women?

As mentioned, the enzyme in pregnant women increases both during normal and difficult pregnancy. To monitor indicators, you should definitely prescribe this test to a pregnant woman.

It is carried out during the first visit to the antenatal clinic, as well as at the 28th and 34th weeks. This is done in order to promptly identify damage to the pancreas and liver and determine the tactics of childbirth or termination of pregnancy.

The process is no different from taking blood from ordinary people. However, it is extremely important to warn the laboratory technician that there is a pregnancy, so that there are no questions when interpreting the analysis.

If the results show that blood amylase is increased (the norm in women should not exceed 100-110), damage to the liver and pancreas should be suspected. If there is liver failure or acute pancreatitis, you need to think about terminating the pregnancy (since the risk to the mother’s life is extremely high).

Results

Alpha amylase is an essential digestive enzyme synthesized by the pancreas and salivary glands. The concentration of the substance in the body is determined through a biochemical analysis of blood and urine. If the values ​​decrease below the reference values, the doctor may suspect the development of liver pathologies and hyperthyroidism. In children, the cause of the disorder is genetic pathologies of enzyme production (muscovidosis, enzymopathy).

The lower limit of normal for adult men and women of reproductive age is considered to be 25 units/l. (top – 125 units/l). In children, normative indicators depend on age. If the indicators change in one direction or another, it is necessary to undergo additional diagnostics, including laboratory tests and hardware procedures (ultrasound, MRI, CT, etc.).

To diagnose gastrointestinal pathologies, doctors prescribe many tests, and one of them is a biochemical blood test. In this case, experts focus on the amylase indicator. In the absence of deviations, its value does not exceed the norm.

An increase or decrease in alpha amylase indicates various problems in the digestive system.

Promotion

It is already clear that an increase in amylase levels indicates that there are certain problems. If alpha-amylase is elevated, this may be caused by diseases such as kidney failure, heart failure, pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, appendicitis, pregnancy, poisoning, etc. As soon as the first symptoms appear, it is necessary to find out the cause. It is important to do this as quickly as possible. The sooner treatment for elevated alpha-amylase in the blood begins, the more effective it will be.

If you suffer from any chronic diseases, then it is important to take a blood test to determine the level of the enzyme. This procedure should be carried out systematically. Take this as a rule and then you will be able to avoid many problems.

Possible diseases due to abnormal amylase levels

If the indicator is increased

If amylase and lipase are elevated, this is a sign of the development of dangerous diseases of the pancreas and digestive system. When alpha-amylase is highly elevated, this is the main indicator of such pathologies. If you see a high enzyme level, the reasons may be the following:

• Acute or chronic pancreatitis. The test result does not determine the severity of the disease.
• Formation of tumor cells in the pancreas. If alpha-amylase in the blood is elevated, it may be an oncological neoplasm or a benign tumor.
• Formation of stones or cysts in the pancreas, lipase is increased several times.
• Inflammation of the salivary gland, lipase is always increased.
• Peritonitis and diabetes mellitus in the initial stage.
• Kidney failure.

The indicator does not increase as an independent disease; its level can be reduced by undergoing a course of treatment for the disease.

Amylase indicators

To determine the range of values, the enzyme indicator per liter of blood is used. At different periods of life, the level of the enzyme will change. It is influenced by external indicators. For example, the postoperative period. The normal blood level in men and the normal level in women are practically the same. The only difference is that the female body is more resistant to pancreatic pathologies than the male body. But the age period matters.

The table shows the normal level of amylase in the blood:

In case of illness, part of the enzyme is excreted in the urine. Therefore, if the level of amylase in the urine is elevated, this result is equivalent to a biochemical blood test. The enzyme level in urine is called diastase. Lipase in the blood should be determined together with this enzyme.

There are studies to determine:

l. Total alpha amylase ll. Pancreatic amylase lll. Urine diastases

If amylase in a biochemical blood test does not go far beyond the corridor, then this is not considered an indicator of pathology. There is no need to worry if the increase in blood alpha-amylase is not accompanied by additional symptoms. Perhaps this is an error, or the body’s natural reaction to stress.

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Reasons and mechanisms for increasing the indicator

If the study reveals an increased amylase value, the doctor may suspect the presence of certain diseases, the main of which is pancreatitis and other disorders of the pancreas, but this situation may also indicate the presence of other ailments.

Most often, an increase in amylase is observed with:

• Pancreatitis, since with this disease a serious process of inflammation develops in the pancreas, which causes an increase in the concentration of the enzyme literally several times.
• Various pathologies and disorders of the pancreas, for example, in the presence of cysts or tumors, as well as stones in the lumens. In this case, compression of the organ occurs, which causes secondary inflammation.
• Diabetes. With this disease, there is a violation of the general metabolism of carbohydrates, due to which the produced amylase is not consumed, and its accumulation leads to an increase in indicators.

• Epidemic mumps. This disease is mainly children's. It is often called piggy. In this case, severe inflammation of the salivary glands occurs, which also produce this enzyme, which leads to an increase in indicators.
• Kidney failure. Some of the enzyme that is not processed in the liver is excreted through the kidneys along with urine. If this organ does not work properly, an increase in the indicator is often observed.
• Peritonitis. If peritonitis develops in the body, then inflammatory changes can affect all human organs in the abdominal cavity, and the pancreas is no exception.

If the test reveals a decreased level of this enzyme, the patient may be suspected of having certain conditions and illnesses.

The reason for a significant decrease in amylase in the blood may be:

• Hepatitis, both chronic and acute. With this disease, the functioning of the liver is impaired, which leads to improper absorption of carbohydrates entering the body, and this also affects the level of certain enzymes, for example, amylase. The synthesis of this enzyme in this disease begins to gradually slow down, as a result, its level in the blood decreases.
• A tumor inside the pancreas. Some of the tumors that form in this organ due to disturbances in its functioning can lead to degeneration of gland tissue, which causes a slowdown and gradual cessation of enzyme production.

Changes in amylase levels may be caused by drinking alcohol during the day before the test.

Diseases such as intestinal obstruction or inflammation of appendicitis can also distort the data.

Various infectious diseases also affect the level of amylase in the blood, but the deviation can be not only less than normal, but also more.

There are not many cases when amylase in the sample is reduced.

• Severe hepatitis
• Tumors
• Cystic fibrosis
• Surgery to remove the pancreas
• A decrease is the norm for children under six months.

Only a mother can provide her child with proper and healthy nutrition. Introducing age-inappropriate foods into a child’s diet can cause lifelong complications in the digestive system.

To normalize the enzyme level, adults and children can be prescribed a starch-free diet, which will significantly reduce the load on the pancreas.

If an increase in amylase levels is observed in the patient’s blood, this may indicate a number of serious diseases and inflammatory processes.

1. If a woman is sick with chronic pancreatitis, then amylase increases on average three times.
2. With an exacerbation of pancreatic disease, the indicators increase sharply and can exceed the norm by 8 times.
3. Viral or mumps also causes an increase in amylase.
4. Endocrine diseases, diabetes mellitus, in which metabolism is disrupted, will greatly affect the result of the analysis.
5. When peritonitis occurs, all indicators increase, including amylase.
6. If the patient has malignant tumors or any other tumor processes occur in the body, especially in the pancreas area, then the level of the substance increases.
7. When there is a disease such as kidney failure, there is poor removal of excess amylase from the body, so its amount in it increases.
8. Any type of poisoning provokes a sharp jump in the indicator.
9. An ectopic pregnancy is a dangerous condition for a woman; with it, amylase also increases in the analysis.

1. To begin with, you should not postpone a visit to a general practitioner, who will listen to all the patient’s complaints and prescribe a number of additional studies: ultrasound, tests, etc.
2. Consultations with specialized specialists are almost always necessary, depending on the location of the disease: gastroenterologist, gynecologist, oncologist, etc.
3. In complex and severe cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the cause to normalize the indicators. For example, if a woman’s norm has increased as a result of an ectopic pregnancy.
4. If the increase in the indicator is caused by a less severe illness, then conservative treatment is carried out, which, as prescribed by a doctor, is carried out in a medical institution or at home.

• A strict diet that does not burden the gastrointestinal tract is indicated.
• You should not drink alcoholic beverages, coffee, tea, fatty, sour, spicy foods, or spices. It is necessary to eliminate nicotine consumption.

You must understand that in order to normalize the level of alpha amylase, you need to find the cause and look for a solution to the problem. But there is no need to self-medicate.

If an excess of amylase in the blood is detected, then the factors for this pathological condition may be:

• Mumps, which has another name - mumps, can cause an increase in amylase, as there is inflammation of the salivary glands.

• Diabetes mellitus disrupts metabolism, therefore, the breakdown of starch will occur slowly, which, in turn, entails a high level of amylase, which is not all used for its intended purpose.
• The enzyme is removed from the body as a result of the activity of the kidneys, so in case of renal failure it can be retained in the body.
• Chronic or acute type of pancreatitis, for the diagnosis of which an amylase test is most often prescribed, is an inflammation of the pancreas, as a result of which it is detected in humans.

• When the entire abdominal cavity becomes inflamed, including the pancreas itself, this process is called peritonitis. The cells of this organ are under constant irritating influence and therefore become overactive, therefore, the amylase level increases.
• If a tumor, cyst or stone forms in the pancreas, then any of these causes puts pressure on the tissues of this organ, resulting in its re-inflammation. It, in turn, immediately increases the production of amylase, and during analysis its indicators jump to 150-200 U/l.

But this enzyme can also have a low level. The reasons for this may be:

• Malignant tumors of the pancreas. They cause a mutation in the tissues of this organ, as a result of which the production of amylase becomes impossible.
• The carbohydrate metabolism system is also affected by diseases such as chronic or acute hepatitis. It disrupts the functioning of the enzyme system, which, in turn, stops synthesizing amylase. In the first days, the pancreas may work well and therefore its level will be normal, but then this process slows down and the result is low enzyme levels and an abnormal condition.

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Both high and low amylase levels require treatment of the disease that was the root cause of the deviation.

Consequences of deviations

If a stable violation of the enzyme level is detected, it is necessary to carry out competent, and most importantly, timely therapy.

Otherwise, the following complications may occur:

• Pathologies of the gallbladder and the formation of cholelithiasis (more often observed in women).
• Metabolic disorders.
• Formation of anemia (anemia).
• Weight loss.
• Dry skin.
• Increased fragility of hair and nails.
• Development of diabetes mellitus.

If the function of the stomach and intestines is impaired, food is less absorbed and digested. As a result, this leads to bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

If a high level of the enzyme is detected, immediate treatment and diet are required. This will eliminate unpleasant symptoms and maintain health for a long time.

An increase in amylase leads to the occurrence of many diseases, in particular pancreatitis and various disorders in the digestive system. This disease significantly worsens a person’s general condition, causes almost constant and quite severe pain in the stomach, makes him irritable, disrupts sleep and rest, causing a person to experience a constant feeling of fatigue and exhaustion.

Pancreatitis can have many consequences, since disease of the pancreas and pathological processes in it often lead to the appearance of cystic neoplasms and erosions.

If cystic formations and erosions are damaged or ruptured, internal bleeding may begin, and fluid leaking from the damaged organ can cause a dangerous condition such as peritonitis.

If pancreatitis becomes chronic, the consequences of the disease can be disturbances in the process of natural secretion of necessary enzymes, as well as in metabolic processes. But the most dangerous consequence of this disease is the occurrence of diabetes mellitus, as well as kidney and liver failure.

Blood test

To determine amylase levels, you need to donate blood from a vein. A referral for a test is provided by a general practitioner, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist or doctor. To obtain the most reliable data, you need to follow certain rules:

• It is best to take the test in the morning, on an empty stomach, 8-12 hours after your last meal. In case of acute pain or in other cases when an immediate result is needed, the technology is performed at any time.
• 1-2 days before the test, you should avoid stress, excessive physical and emotional stress.
• In anticipation of the study, it is necessary to maintain a balanced diet, avoid spicy, fatty foods, and intoxicating drinks.
• Specifically, before taking blood, you must stop smoking for at least 30 minutes.
• Taking some medications can affect the test results, so you should stop using the medications a couple of days before they take effect. If, for example, this cannot be done, first of all you need to tell the doctor or laboratory assistant the names of the medications you are taking.
• X-rays, ultrasound examinations (ultrasound), physical therapy performed the day before the blood test can worsen its results.

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What is amylase

Amylase is a digestive enzyme responsible for catalyzing the breakdown of complex carbohydrates (starch, glycogen, and some saccharides) into simple monosaccharides that are easily absorbed in the intestines.
The human body is characterized by the work of one of the types of amylase. Without going into unnecessary details of the biochemical process, we note that we say alpha amylase, meaning amylase for humans, which is for the most part identical (although there are nuances).

Functions

The pancreas is responsible for the production of alpha-amylase (this type of amylase is one of the components of digestive juice) and the salivary glands (the enzyme is secreted into the oral cavity by three pairs of glands). Amylase is active only in the gastrointestinal tract and conditions of a narrow pH optimum (7.1).

The main function of amylase is to hydrolyze starch.

The process of its enzymatic breakdown begins in the oral cavity, under the action of salivary amylase. After food reaches the stomach, the work of salivary amylase stops, since the pH of the stomach is 2-3 (under these conditions the enzyme is inactive).

In people who like to “snack on the go” and chew food poorly, salivary amylase is practically not involved in the process of starch digestion. Therefore, its hydrolysis occurs mainly in the duodenum and jejunum, under the action of pancreatic alpha-amylase (PG).

One more thing to consider is the activity time.
The fact is that alpha amylase is active during the day, since meals correspond to this time of day, but at night the body rests, and along with it the digestive enzyme does not show activity. Very important! By not chewing food properly, “snacks on the run,” and allowing ourselves trips to the refrigerator at night, we thereby turn off alpha amylase from the process of digesting food. This is fraught with at least the development of pancreatitis.

Amylase in the blood

Amylase does not function in the blood. It is detected in the analysis in minimal quantities, as a result of the natural renewal of pancreatic cells and salivary glands. About 60 percent of the amylase circulating in the blood is salivary, the remaining forty is pancreatic amylase.

The enzyme is excreted from the body primarily by the kidneys and urine. Given the small size of the amylase molecule (compared to other enzymes), it passes freely through the glomeruli. In this regard, it can normally be detected in urine. Enzyme levels in urine increase as blood levels increase.

How to prepare for analysis

The biochemical result of a blood test gives a complete picture of a person’s condition and health. An indicator such as alpha amylase increases in the blood for a number of reasons related to the functional activity of the pancreas. Blood sampling is carried out in the morning on an empty stomach. Therefore, eating breakfast and drinking sweetened drinks on the appointed day is prohibited.

The day before the test, you should not eat fatty, spicy foods high in carbohydrates (bread, rice, pasta, sweets and sugar). It is recommended to limit the consumption of coffee, tea and soda. On the eve of the analysis, stressful situations and physical overexertion should be avoided.

It is also undesirable to drink a lot, so as not to cause dilution of the blood with liquid and provoke excessive excretion of alpha amylase in the urine. In order not to become overtired before collecting biomaterials, it is better to choose a taxi instead of public transport if you do not have a personal car.