I have a high amylase level and they can't give me any answers to why I do?

Question

I was hospitalized back in April with high amylase blood level and they said it was pancreatitis.....they checked the pancreas and it was fine...is there any other reason for high amylase levels to be elevated?

Answer 1

It is important to discuss this with your primary care physician to determine if the values are clinically significant. I would guress that you had other symptoms other than the high amylase? Pacreatitis is the most common cause, but not the only cause.

This is advice for pancreatitis sufferers, but it's also good for everyone: avoid foods high in fat; avoid meals with high fat content, keep your blood sugar in check by avoiding foods with high simple sugar content, and favor intake of complex carbohydrates

Values may be high because of:

Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) or cancer of the pancreas.
Inflammation of the salivary glands, such as mumps.
Blockage of or severe damage to the intestines (bowel infarction).
A stomach ulcer that has caused a hole in the stomach wall.
Gallstones.
Cystic fibrosis.
Pregnancy and diabetic ketoacidosis.
A ruptured ectopic pregnancy.
Macroamylasemia, an uncommon and harmless condition in which amylase is bound to a protein in the blood. This condition can cause amylase levels to be either high or low.

Answer 2

High Amylase Levels

Answer 3

The first responder to your question has given an excellent list of possible causes of elevated amylase. As an RN who has taught Nursing for a number of years I just want to add that within 2 or 3 days of onset of acute pancreatitis, serum amylase levels fall to normal but elevated urine amylase persists for 7 to 10 days. The diagnosis of Pancreatitis is made on assessment of a number of factors including severe and stabbing pain, restlessness, nausea and vomiting, possibility of shock, electrolyte imbalances, tetany, possibility of respiratory symptoms, elevated amylase, etc. I can speak from personal experience of having viral pancreatitis several years ago that I had most if not all of the symptoms so there was no doubt about the diagnosis. You do not mention what symptoms you experienced while in the hospital which would be necessary to know before coming to a possible diagnosis. Good luck to you and I pray that your amylase level is now normal.

Answer 4

2

Answer 5

1

Answer 6

anything that might be causing damage or irritation to the pancreas - your doctor will have to do some more tests to find out the cause. it is somethign that needs looking into..