Amylase (24 Hour Urine) Test

The pancreas and the salivary glands secrete a special protein or enzyme called Amylase. Sometimes the pancreas gets busted which cause malfunctions like production of too much or too little amylase. An abnormal amount of amylase in your body may be a sign of a pancreatic disorder. You may have a disorder affecting the pancreas if your levels of amylase are too low or too high. There are various tests like amylase blood/urine tests to determine the amount of amylase in the body An amylase blood test is usually done if your doctor suspects pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas.

To prepare for an amylase test: Alcohol intake should be restricted before 24hrs of the test. An empty stomach enhances the accuracy for the test. The patient should not drink or eat anything except water for at least 2 hrs before the test. For a 24-hour urine test for amylase, be sure to drink enough fluids during the test to prevent dehydration. You should also tell your doctor about any medications you may be taking. Certain drugs, however, might alter your test results. In that case, your doctor may tell you to stop taking a particular medication or to change the dose temporarily.

.An amylase blood test is used to diagnose a problem with your pancreas, including pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) Urine amylase tests help diagnose pancreatic and salivary gland disorders that help monitor the proportion of amylase in people who are being treated for pancreatic or other disorders See if the treatment for pancreatitis and other pancreatic diseases is working. To keep a track of whether the earlier treatment for pancreatitis and other pancreatic disease are working according to what was prescribed. Check swelling and inflammation of the salivary glands. The amylase test also may be used to help monitor patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic condition in which thick mucus blocks passages in the lungs and digestive system

An antiseptic is applied to the area from where the blood is to be drawn. An elastic band tied around to upper arm which increases the flow of blood in the veins, causing them to swell and thus making it easier to draw blood. A needle will be inserted into your vein and blood will flow through the needle into a small tube that’s attached to it. The needle is removed once enough blood is collected and a sterile bandage will be applied over the puncture site. Collected blood is then sent to a lab for testing. For urine, a patient urinates into a small container and then transfers the sample to a lab-provided larger container with a small amount of preservative.