Amylase

Test ID: 

702771

CPT code:

82150

Clinical Use:

Work-up for abdominal pain, epigastric tenderness, nausea, and vomiting. Such findings characterize acute pancreatitis as well as acute surgical emergencies such as gastrointestinal perforation (eg, peptic ulcer with perforation) or bowel infarct. Amylase is used in the differential diagnosis of acute or chronic pancreatitis, which may or may not in an individual be related to alcoholism. Hypercalcemia related to pancreatitis is described with hyperparathyroidism and other entities. About 80% of subjects with acute pancreatitis have increased serum amylase within 24 hours.1

Specimen Type:

Serum (preferred) or plasma

Requested Volume: 

1 ml

Minimum Volume: 

0.5 mL

Container Type: 

Red-top tube, gel-barrier tube, or green-top (heparin) tube

Collection:

Separate serum or plasma from cells within 45 minutes of collection.

Storage Instructions:

Maintain specimen at room temperature.

Stability Requirements:

Rejection Criteria

Improper labeling