Question re amylase levels

[Guest guest]

Hi all-

Can a person with pancreatitis have only slightly-elevated amylase

levels? The reason I ask this is that when my mother went to the

doctor, her amylase level was 134. In fact, the doctor said that he

would have called the attack a " fluke " until she stood up and showed

him the lump in her upper abdomen. He scheduled her for a CT scan in

light of that, and ordered more bloodwork.

Thanks-

[Guest guest]

Yes, Amylase levels can present very low or not even at all during an

attack. Some people with CP never have their A & L levels rise. A & L

levels are a good indication of what can be going on with the pancreas,

but they are in no way a conclusive test. The gold standard for that

is an ERCp.

Sandy in Ca

rachel_8375 wrote:

>Hi all-

>

> Can a person with pancreatitis have only slightly-elevated amylase

>levels?

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

Normal values for amylase depend on the method used to

test it. In pancreatitis, amylase levels are very

high, often 5 - 10 times normal levels. Increased

amylase levels may also indicate cancer of the

pancreas, ovaries, or lungs; tubal pregnancy;

gallbladder attack; mumps; intestinal obstruction; or

perforated ulcer.

Best wishes,

=====

Rupesh Parajuli

Nepal Chapter

Pancreatitis Association International (PAI)

rupesh_parajuli@...

www.pancassociation.org/nepal

Post Box No: 13946, Kathmandu, Nepal

Tel: 977-1-4479627, Fax: 977-1-4476878/4460560

Mobile: 977-9851078750

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