What is this test?
Amylase is an enzyme produced mainly by the pancreas and salivary glands. It can rise with pancreatic inflammation and several other abdominal or salivary conditions.
Why might it be ordered?
- To investigate acute upper-abdominal pain or suspected pancreatic disease.
- To monitor a selected pancreatic or salivary-gland condition.
What sample is needed?
A blood sample is required. The laboratory chooses the correct tube and handles the sample for this test.
How should you prepare?
Ask the laboratory whether you need to fast or attend at a particular time. Do not stop or change medicines or supplements unless your clinician tells you to.
How should you understand the result?
Amylase is not specific to the pancreas and can normalize despite ongoing disease. Lipase, symptoms and imaging may provide more useful context.
Sources and editorial status
This patient-facing text is an editorial draft. It should be approved by a laboratory physician before official publication.