What causes the amylase level to increase?
Amylase is an enzyme that is produced mainly by the pancreas and the salivary glands. Amylase is often elevated in acute and chronic pancreatitis. Several other conditions can cause the amylase to become abnormal, and as a result, it’s elevated state is not a specific indicator for a disease of the pancreas. A test to measure the level of amylase is often ordered by a physician in patients whom are experiencing abdominal pain. The conditions which cause this to be elevated include acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic pseudocyst, ischemic bowel (a condition in which blood flow is interrupted to the small or large intestine), or a ruptured viscus (i.e. perforated ulcer). The amylase may be elevated in patients with other non gastrointestinal disorders such as macroamylasemia, and renal failure.
