Individual test · Labcorp 602671

α-Amylase

This test measures the level of alpha-amylase, an enzyme produced by the pancreas and salivary glands to help digest carbohydrates. It is primarily used to evaluate symptoms like severe abdominal pain to see if the pancreas is inflamed or injured. This measurement helps doctors distinguish between acute pancreatitis and other causes of stomach distress. However, this test alone cannot determine the specific cause of the inflammation or diagnose chronic pancreatic disease without further testing.