Platform
Company
Gastroenterology
Review status
Currently under review
Pending specialist review and validation.
Urine amylase measures the activity of the enzyme amylase that is filtered into your urine. Amylase is made mainly by the pancreas and salivary glands, where it helps break down carbohydrates during digestion.
This test evaluates how much amylase is present in a urine sample, either from a single collection or a timed collection. It gives your care team information about pancreatic and salivary gland activity and how efficiently your kidneys clear the enzyme.
Clinicians often order urine amylase when they are assessing sudden upper abdominal pain, suspected pancreatitis, or complications after procedures involving the pancreas or bile ducts. Urine amylase can remain elevated for a period after symptoms begin, so it may help when blood tests are inconclusive or when trends over time are needed.
The test can also help distinguish causes of raised blood amylase, such as a benign condition called macroamylasemia, where amylase cannot pass into urine. Kidney problems can reduce the amount of amylase that appears in urine, so understanding your kidney function is important when interpreting results.
Higher urine amylase can occur with inflammation or obstruction of the pancreas, certain salivary gland conditions, or after abdominal or pancreatic procedures. Lower values can be seen with long-standing pancreatic disease, reduced enzyme production, or impaired kidney filtration. Your clinician will interpret the result alongside your symptoms, exam findings, kidney function, and related tests such as blood amylase or lipase.
If your result does not fit the clinical picture, your care team may repeat the test, request a timed collection to improve accuracy, or add other studies like imaging. Always review your results with your clinician, who can explain what they mean for you and whether any treatment or follow-up is needed.
Reference intervals vary by laboratory, analyzer, methodology, population, and units. The ranges shown here are for education only. Always interpret your results against the reference interval printed on your own lab report.
A timed collection or a missed void can change the measured activity. Follow instructions carefully, keep the container cool if directed, and record start and end times for accurate results.
Very dilute urine from high fluid intake can lower the measured activity, while very concentrated urine can raise it. Your clinician may consider urine concentration or pair testing with urine creatinine.
Because amylase is cleared by the kidneys, reduced kidney filtration can lower urine amylase even when blood amylase is increased. Your care team will consider your kidney tests when interpreting results.
Opiates, thiazide diuretics, valproate, azathioprine, and heavy alcohol use can raise amylase. Discuss all medicines and supplements you take, including recent changes, with your clinician.
Endoscopic procedures involving the pancreas or bile ducts, abdominal trauma, or gallstone movement can affect amylase levels. Tell your clinician about any recent procedures or injuries.
Inflammation or blockage of the salivary glands can change amylase patterns. Symptoms like facial swelling, dry mouth, or recent viral illness may be relevant to your result.
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