Tests for amylase in blood or urine are mainly used to diagnose problems with your pancreas, including pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas. It is also used to monitor chronic (long-term) pancreatitis.
Actim Pancreatitis (Medix Biochemica) is a point-of-care test to diagnose acute pancreatitis. The test works by detecting levels of trypsinogen-2 (from approximately 50 micrograms/L up to 100,000 micrograms/L) in urine, based on immunochromatography.
Some people have jaundice (yellowish eyes and skin and dark urine).
Lipase is the preferred laboratory test for diagnosing acute pancreatitis, as it is the most sensitive and specific marker for pancreatic cell damage. Additional laboratory testing, such as complete blood count (CBC) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) tests, are useful to obtain prognostic information.
Other tests that may be used to check for complications of acute pancreatitis include: Full Blood Count (including white blood cell count) Glucose. The full blood count, electrolytes, and liver function tests are typically normal in chronic pancreatitis.
In severe cases, pancreatitis can be life-threatening. If you have severe abdominal (tummy) pain that lasts for more than 20 minutes, call your doctor or visit the emergency department of your local hospital. Pancreatitis can be either acute (sudden onset) or chronic (ongoing and longer-term).
According to the recommendations, the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis is based on blood tests to determine the level of serum lipase and amylase and imaging techniques: magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), CT, and US [2].
People with acute pancreatitis often look ill and have a fever, nausea, vomiting, and sweating. Other symptoms that may occur with this disease include: Clay-colored stools. Bloating and fullness.
The symptoms of chronic pancreatitis include: Diabetes: Chronic pancreatitis can affect the pancreas' ability to produce insulin to regulate glucose levels, leading to diabetes. Symptoms of diabetes include increased hunger and thirst, frequent urination, weight loss and fatigue.
This occurs when the pancreas cannot make sufficient insulin. Symptoms usually include excess thirst, passing large amounts of urine and further weight loss unless the diabetes is treated.
02/6Pancreatic cancer and jaundice
This yellow colour is caused by a high level of bilirubin in the blood. As bilirubin levels increase, your urine can also become brown in colour.
The diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis is obvious in an advanced case with typical features: upper abdominal pains with weight loss; steatorrhea; and, diabetes. However, all of these features are seen only when the disease has been present for many years. Most patients present with pain only.
Dark urine. Pale stools or stools that float in the toilet. Yellow skin and eyes (jaundice)
See a GI specialist if you are experiencing unexplained weight loss, have persistent fatigue, develop jaundice, have ongoing stomach pain or a persistent bowel pattern change.
Hereditary pancreatitis may be present in someone under 30 years old but may go undiagnosed for several years. Brief periods of abdominal pain and diarrhea may come and go and eventually lead to chronic pancreatitis.
What is it? Mid-back pain can be a sign of pancreatic cancer. The pain can be caused by a tumour invading nerves or organs that lie near the pancreas. Some people also report that they feel pain in their shoulder or under their shoulder blade.
It's been described as a burning or shooting pain which comes and goes, but can last for several hours or days, in some cases. Some people also experience symptoms of nausea and vomiting during the pain. As chronic pancreatitis progresses, the painful episodes may become more frequent and severe.
Recent literature has reported a negative predictive value of serum lipase in diagnosing acute pancreatitis to be between 94% and 100%, and a normal blood lipase level in acute pancreatitis is an extremely rare event. Here we reported two cases with normal serum amylase and lipase levels.
The main symptom of acute pancreatitis is a severe, dull pain around the top of your stomach that develops suddenly. This aching pain often gets steadily worse and can travel along your back or below your left shoulder blade. Eating or drinking may also make you feel worse very quickly, especially fatty foods.
Most people with acute pancreatitis start to feel better within about a week and have no further problems. But some people with severe acute pancreatitis can go on to develop serious complications.
Diagnosis Acute pancreatitis
A doctor will ask you about your symptoms, family history and may feel your tummy – it will be very tender if you have acute pancreatitis. They'll also do a blood test, and sometimes a CT scan, to help confirm the diagnosis.