Amylase Test
An amylase test measures the amount of amylase in the blood, an enzyme produced mainly by the pancreas and the salivary glands. Clinicians use it to help evaluate the pancreas and certain digestive concerns.
About this test
Amylase is an enzyme whose main job is helping the body break down carbohydrates and starches into simpler sugars the body can absorb. Most of it comes from two places: the pancreas, an organ that sits behind the stomach and releases digestive enzymes into the small intestine, and the salivary glands, where digestion of starches begins in the mouth.
The test is done with a simple blood draw at a Quest patient service center. A phlebotomist collects a sample from a vein, usually in the arm, and it is sent to the laboratory.
Who might consider this test?
- Look into amylase when a clinician is exploring abdominal pain
- Other digestive symptoms that may involve the pancreas
Test details
| Quest code | 243 |
|---|---|
| Methodology | Spectrophotometry |
| Sample type | 1 mL serum |
| Collection | Quest patient service center |
Reference range
21-101 U/L
Reference ranges are general guidance. The range printed on your own laboratory report is the one that applies to your result.
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Quest resources
Additional details
What this test looks at
The test measures the level of amylase circulating in the blood. Because the pancreas and salivary glands are the main sources, the result can reflect how those tissues are working. A clinician may look at it when digestive symptoms raise questions about the pancreas in particular.
It helps to remember what the marker describes: the amount of the enzyme present, not the reason behind it. On its own, amylase does not explain why a result sits where it does, which is why a clinician weighs it against symptoms and other findings rather than reading it in isolation.
Why it's often paired with lipase
Amylase and lipase are both digestive enzymes that come largely from the pancreas, and clinicians frequently order them together. Looking at the two side by side can give a more rounded view than either alone, because they can behave differently depending on what is going on. The combination is a common part of how a clinician approaches pancreas-related questions, though the interpretation always belongs to the clinician and the wider clinical picture.
Order online and a physician order is included — no doctor's visit and no insurance needed. Your sample is collected at a Quest Diagnostics patient service center.
Laboratory results should always be interpreted by a licensed clinician who knows your health history. This page is information about a test, not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
What does an amylase test measure?
It measures the amount of amylase in the blood, an enzyme produced mainly by the pancreas and salivary glands that helps break down carbohydrates and starches.
Why might a clinician look at amylase?
Amylase is often measured when a clinician is exploring abdominal pain, nausea, or other digestive symptoms that may involve the pancreas, as one part of a broader evaluation.
Why are amylase and lipase often measured together?
Both enzymes come largely from the pancreas, so measuring them side by side can give a clinician a fuller view than either one alone when pancreas-related questions come up.
How is the sample collected?
Through a routine blood draw at a Quest patient service center. A phlebotomist takes a small sample from a vein in the arm and sends it to the laboratory.
Can I interpret my amylase result on my own?
A result is best read by a clinician who can weigh it against symptoms, history, and other markers. The results page is a starting point for that conversation rather than an answer on its own.
How much does the Amylase test cost?
The cash price at Celio Health is $35. That covers the physician's order and sample collection at a Quest patient service center — no insurance is needed and there's no separate doctor's visit to pay for.