Amylase
Serum Amylase
What this test measures
Amylase is an enzyme made mainly by your pancreas and salivary glands. It helps digest carbohydrates. High levels often indicate a problem with your pancreas.
Understanding the numbers
Typical range: 25-125 U/L (may vary by lab)
Amylase is mainly used to diagnose acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
- Normal: 0–125 U/L
- Mildly raised: 125–375 U/L
- Suggestive of pancreatitis: 375–1000 U/L
- Markedly raised: 1000–2000 U/L
Key numbers
- 125 U/L — Upper limit of normal
- 375 U/L — >3× upper limit suggests pancreatitis
NICE CG104 and Atlanta criteria: acute pancreatitis is likely if amylase (or lipase) is greater than three times the upper limit of normal with typical symptoms. Amylase falls within a few days after an attack — lipase stays raised longer, so lipase is preferred if more than 24-48 hours have passed.
Ranges can vary slightly between laboratories — your report may show slightly different numbers. This page does not read or interpret your result; your GP looks at it alongside your history and other tests.
What a higher-than-normal result can mean
- Often indicates acute pancreatitis (usually with severe abdominal pain)
- Can be raised by gallstones blocking the pancreatic duct
- Salivary gland problems can also raise amylase
- Kidney disease can cause raised levels (kidneys clear amylase)
When not to wait
Acute pancreatitis can become severe quickly.
- Severe upper tummy pain radiating to the back
- Persistent vomiting and unable to keep fluids down
- Fever or shivering with abdominal pain
- Fast breathing or feeling faint
- Yellow skin or eyes with pain
- Passing little or no urine
- Known pancreatitis getting worse rather than better
Call NHS 111 for urgent advice, or 999 if someone is seriously unwell.
Questions you could ask your GP
- Could this indicate a problem with my pancreas?
- Do I need an ultrasound or CT scan?
- Should I change my diet or alcohol intake?
- Will I need to see a specialist?
Example stories
These are made-up examples to show how results are talked about in real appointments. They are not real patients.
Gallstone pancreatitis
Mark had sudden severe upper tummy pain radiating to his back, vomiting, and tenderness. Amylase 1240, ALT 320, bilirubin 65. Ultrasound showed gallstones.
What the GP said: “This is acute pancreatitis, almost certainly from gallstones. I'm admitting you for IV fluids, pain relief and monitoring — and we'll plan to take out your gallbladder once things settle.”
What happened next: Mark was admitted for four days; his amylase fell over the week. A laparoscopic cholecystectomy was done six weeks later.
Amylase over three times the upper limit with typical pain makes acute pancreatitis very likely. Gallstones and alcohol are by far the most common causes in the UK.
Alcohol-related pancreatitis
Liam, a heavy drinker, had a week-long episode of tummy pain. Amylase 890, GGT very raised, no gallstones on ultrasound.
What the GP said: “Your pancreas is inflamed from alcohol. Stopping drinking is essential — continued drinking causes chronic pancreatitis, which is painful and can cause diabetes and digestive problems.”
What happened next: Liam engaged with the alcohol service, stayed abstinent, and avoided a further admission.
Alcohol pancreatitis often presents more slowly than gallstone pancreatitis but is equally dangerous. Continued drinking can convert acute attacks into chronic pancreatitis, which is harder to treat.
Mumps — high salivary amylase
Saira had swollen cheeks and fever. Amylase 310, lipase normal. Mumps IgM positive.
What the GP said: “This is mumps — it inflames the salivary glands, which also make amylase. Your lipase is normal, so the pancreas isn't involved. Supportive care only.”
What happened next: Saira recovered over ten days. She also had repeat MMR to close her immunisation gap.
Amylase comes from salivary glands too. Mumps, salivary gland stones and some tumours raise amylase without pancreatitis. A normal lipase alongside high amylase usually points away from the pancreas.
Reduced kidney clearance
Gareth's amylase was 210. eGFR was 28 (CKD 4). He had no tummy pain and his lipase was only mildly raised too.
What the GP said: “With reduced kidney function, amylase and lipase don't clear as well and run higher than normal. Without pain or other signs, this is not pancreatitis.”
Amylase is cleared by the kidneys — it is mildly raised in people with CKD without any pancreatic problem. Context and symptoms separate this from pancreatitis.
Before you act on anything here
This page is general information, written to help you understand — it is not personal medical advice and it cannot tell you what is right for you. Talk to your own GP, pharmacist or nurse about your own health.
- Need help now but it's not an emergency? Call NHS 111 or use 111.nhs.uk.
- Emergency? Call 999 or go to A&E.