What is the reason for high amylase?

Amylase is mainly secreted by the pancreas in the human body. In general, doctors judge whether the patient has pancreatitis according to the value of amylase. Although the paste also causes the increase of amylase when the human body has a cold or mumps, when using amylase to judge whether the patient has pancreatitis, doctors will also consider other symptoms of the patient.

Reason one

Amylase is a pancreatic enzyme secreted during the digestion of starch into sugar. The normal range of amylase is between 23-85 units per liter of blood. Doctors usually use amylase tests to diagnose pancreatitis, the so-called pancreatitis. Cholecystitis, intestinal obstruction, acute pancreatitis and some drugs are common causes of amylase rising above normal levels.

The pancreas is a gland located at the back of the stomach that releases hormones and enzymes to help the body break down and absorb food nutrients. Autoimmune diseases, alcoholism and pancreatic duct blockage can lead to pancreatitis. High amylase levels are observed when the pancreas becomes inflamed. Symptoms of pancreatitis include nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. The doctor will find the best treatment according to the reason.

Reason two

Cholecystitis involves inflammation of the gallbladder, a small organ that plays a role in fat digestion. The gallbladder stores and releases bile, a digestive fluid composed of emulsified fat. Bile duct obstruction is the most common cause of cholecystitis. Blood tests during a cholecystitis attack usually show high amylase levels. Most episodes will last for a few days, after which amylase will generally return to normal levels.

Reason three

The gut is designed to allow food to pass through the digestive tract and absorb nutrients. Undigested food and digestive juice can remain in the intestine at the time of infarction and lead to increased amylase levels. Common symptoms include diarrhea, flatulence, constipation and spasm. Most intestinal infarcts can be solved by themselves. However, if the infarction is caused by intestinal disease, surgery is usually recommended.

Reason four

Pancreatic cancer also leads to high levels of amylase. The level of amylase is sometimes used to observe the therapeutic effect of pancreatic cancer. The early symptoms of pancreatic cancer include dark urine, fatigue, weight loss, nausea and abdominal discomfort. Surgery is usually used to alleviate pancreatic blockage caused by cancer. Amylase levels may continue to rise until cancer is controlled.

Reason five

Sometimes, high amylase levels are not associated with specific diseases. Drugs such as contraceptives and aspirin can also cause higher than normal levels of amylase. Drinking alcohol before a medical examination also increases amylase levels. Therefore, doctors advise patients to avoid consuming alcoholic beverages within 24 hours before the examination. If the amylase is too high, the doctor usually makes further examination to find out the specific cause.