Amylase, fluid
Clinical Background:
Amylase is the enzyme concerned with the breakdown of dietary starch and glycogen to maltose. It is present in pancreatic juice, saliva and in the liver, fallopian tubes and muscle. It exists as tw...
Amylase is the enzyme concerned with the breakdown of dietary starch and glycogen to maltose. It is present in pancreatic juice, saliva and in the liver, fallopian tubes and muscle. It exists as two isoenzymes: pancreatic (P‐type) and non‐pancreatic (S‐type). Amylase is primarily used in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.
Test Details
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Discipline:
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
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Minimum Volume Adult:
1 mL fluid
1 mL fluid
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Minimum Volume Paediatric:
1 mL fluid
1 mL fluid
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Special Requirement:
Samples which are too viscous and/or contain particulate matter after centrifugation are unsuitable for analysis.
Samples which are too viscous and/or contain particulate matter after centrifugation are unsuitable for analysis.
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Sample Stability:
at +15° to +25°C 7 days at +2° to +8°C 1 month
at +15° to +25°C 7 days at +2° to +8°C 1 month
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Quality Assurance:
Serum Amylase in WEQAS Mainline Chemistry
Serum Amylase in WEQAS Mainline Chemistry
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Interpretation:
A fluid amylase greater than the upper limit of normal for serum or a pleural fluid/serum ratio >1 suggests an effusion of pancreatic origin.
A fluid amylase greater than the upper limit of normal for serum or a pleural fluid/serum ratio >1 suggests an effusion of pancreatic origin.
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Reference Ranges:
There are no reference intervals for amylase present in non-standard body fluids.
There are no reference intervals for amylase present in non-standard body fluids.
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Factors Affecting Result:
Gross haemolysis can give erroneous results.
Gross haemolysis can give erroneous results.
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Routine Contact Name:
Duty Biochemist
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Routine Telephone:
Freeman: 0191 244 8889
RVI: 0191 282 9719Freeman: 0191 244 8889
RVI: 0191 282 9719 -
Routine Email: