Pathology

Test & Collection Guide

New search...

Amylase - blood

Alternate names:

AMS, AMY

Laboratory:

Biochemistry

Test Code:

AMY

Specimen types:

Serum

Container types:

Serum tube with gel

Collection Instructions:

Transport specimen at Room Temperature to lab
Sample haemolysis may make this test unreportable

Minimum Adult Volume:

1 mL

Paediatric Minimum Volume:

0.5 mL

Frequency:

Daily

Result Turnaround Time:

4 hours

Reference Interval:

28 - 100 U/L

Laboratory Use Only

Storage Instructions:

Elevation of plasma amylase in acute pancreatitis is transient, usually returning to normal within 48 hours. Elevation of urinary amylase (diastase) may persist for up to 72 hours.

Falsely high values may occur with the following drugs - codeine, morphine, pethidine and pancreozymin.

Non-pancreatic causes of elevated amylase include - perforated pepetic ulcer, appendiceal abscess, ectopic pregnancy, mumps, parotitis, dissecting aneurysm and intestinal obstruction.