High Amylase reading

I have recently been told that my amylase level is above normal level and has been so since last July at least; I have been told that I must have an ultrasound scan of the abdomen. Whenever I have been to hospital with AF, they have done this particular blood test as part of the usual suite of tests. Amylase is an enzyme secreted by the pancreas; a normal reading is below 100 but mine has been consistently between 130-155. I don’t know why this test is done with those who have AF. Apparently it is associated with pancreatitis (a very serious illness), however this is normally accompanied by abdominal pain, nausea etc. which I don’t have. It’s also associated with heavy drinking, but I don’t fall onto that category. Does anyone know anything about this test, and why it is done for AF?

[Bagrat]

Difficult not to be concerned. Sometimes it is associated with certain meds but if so usually higher than yours about three times the normal upper level. If you have had no symptoms for nearly a year, whatever it is is not getting worse or causing too many problems. Good that they are investigating though.

[Hidden in reply to Bagrat]

When the reading was originally mentioned (by a cardiac nurse when I was having some chest pains checked in hospital) she mentioned gallstones, which she said sometimes didn’t cause pain, and advised having a retest in about 6 weeks. The retest showed that the amylase was still elevated and a doctor rang to advise an ultrasound scan of the abdomen. As I understand it, the main possibilities are gallstones, chronic pancreatitis, or a rate of amylase which is naturally high (which some people just have apparently). I thought that if it was chronic pancreatitis I would have abdominal pains, but this isn’t always the case, it seems. Do you know, even very roughly, how likely it is that this could be chronic pancreatitis given the reading of 147 and the absence of other symptoms? I find the whole thing fairly alarming. I’d never even heard of pancreatitis until a few days ago. Also, I have no idea why they tested for this given that I had AF symptoms.

[Bagrat in reply to Hidden]

I'm afraid I have no idea. Gallstones sounds more likely esp as it isn't mega high. Can sometimes be stomach ulcer but you'd have symptoms. It must be worrying my alkaline phosphatase is high and they've just said they'll ceheck in 3 months for the second time. If we had nothing to worry about we'd worry!!! But try not too!

Love wendyb

[Hidden in reply to Bagrat]

Thanks!