Interpretation
An elevated plasma amylase may be supportive of a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Lipase is preferred over amylase as a biomarker of pancreatitis. Lipase is more specific than amylase and remains elevated for longer than amylase during an attack of acute pancreatitis.
Non-pancreatic causes of an elevated plasma amylase include salivary gland disease (e.g. salivary gland stones, mumps), biliary tract disease and renal failure.
The term “macroamylase” refers to the accumulation of amylase proteins in a complex with immunoglobulin. Macroamylase persists in the circulation for longer than monomeric amylase, therefore patients with macroamylase have a benign elevation of plasma amylase with no clinical evidence of underlying disease. If you suspect that your patient has macroamylase, contact the chemical pathologist to discuss further.
Test Method
Kinetic colour test for the quantitative determination of α-amylase performed on Beckman Coulter AU5822 analysers using Beckman Coulter reagents.
