Blood test

A health professional uses a needle to take a blood sample, usually from the arm.

Urine test

Amylase can be measured in a 24-hour urine sample. You must collect all the urine you produce in a 24-hour period.

• You start collecting your urine when you wake up. When you first get up, empty your bladder, but don't save this urine. Write down the time that you urinated to mark the start of your 24-hour collection period.
• For the next 24 hours, collect all your urine. Your doctor or lab will usually provide you with a large container that holds about 4 litres (1 gallon). The container may have a small amount of preservative in it. Urinate into a small, clean container, and then pour the urine into the large container. Do not touch the inside of the containers with your fingers.
• Keep the large container in the refrigerator for the 24 hours.
• Empty your bladder for the final time at or just before the end of the 24-hour period. Add this urine to the large container, and record the time.
• Do not get toilet paper, pubic hair, stool (feces), menstrual blood, or other foreign matter in the urine sample.

Watch

Blood test

When a blood sample is taken, you may feel nothing at all from the needle. Or you might feel a quick sting or pinch.

Urine test

This test usually doesn't cause any pain or discomfort.

Blood test

There is very little chance of having a problem from this test. When a blood sample is taken, a small bruise may form at the site.

Urine test

There are no known risks from having this test.

Normal

Each lab has a different range for what's normal. Your lab report should show the range that your lab uses for each test. The normal range is just a guide. Your doctor will also look at your results based on your age, health, and other factors. A value that isn't in the normal range may still be normal for you.

High values

Values may be high because of:

• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), a pancreatic cyst, or cancer of the pancreas.
• Inflammation of the salivary glands (Figure 3), such as mumps.
• Blockage of, or severe damage to, the intestines (bowel obstruction or strangulation).
• A stomach ulcer that caused a hole in the stomach wall.
• Gallstones that are causing pancreatitis.
• Diabetic ketoacidosis.
• A ruptured ectopic pregnancy.
• Kidney failure.
• Appendicitis or peritonitis.
• Macroamylasemia, an uncommon and harmless condition in which amylase is bound to a protein in the blood.

Figure 3 - Salivary glands

Salivary glands produce saliva, which moistens the mouth to help a person chew and swallow food. Saliva also contains substances (enzymes) that begin the breakdown of food.

There are four pairs of salivary glands, four glands on each side:

• The parotid glands are between the ear and the jaw.
• The submandibular glands are under the jaw.
• The sublingual glands are on the floor of the mouth under the tongue.
• The buccal glands are in the mucous membrane lining the cheeks and mouth. These glands produce only a small amount of saliva.

Current as of: October 19, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.