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Amylase, Urine

Urine Amyalse

Test Codes

24 Hour Urine: EPIC: LAB5436, Beaker: AMY24, Random Urine: EPIC: LAB5435, Beaker: AMYU

Department

Chemistry

Instructions

Note: 24-hour and random urine specimens MUST be collected separately. See below for collection criteria.

• Please refer to the Specimen Collection Manual for instructions on 24-Hour or Random Urine Collection:
  • Urine 24-Hour Collection - Inpatient.
  • Urine 24-Hour Collection - Outpatient.
  • Urine 24-Hour Collection - Outreach.
  • Random Urine Collection

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: 24-hour urine or timed urine specimen with a 24-hour urine container with no preservatives.
Also acceptable: Random urine specimen in a screw-capped container (preferred) or another sterile collection cup. Preservatives are not acceptable for random urine specimens. (Minimum: 20 mL)

• Refer to the table of Urine Preservative Options when multiple tests are requested.
• Keep 24-hour urine specimen iced or refrigerated during collection.
• Include start and end dates and times for the collection period on the specimen container.

Urine Preservative Options
No Preservative	6N Hydrochloric Acid	Boric Acid (10g)	Sodium Carbonate	50% Acetic Acid
Required	Unacceptable	Unacceptable	Unacceptable	Unacceptable

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Maintain specimens refrigerated (2–8°C or 36–46°F) prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Entire 24-hour urine collection, timed urine, or random urine, refrigerated (2–8°C or 36–46°F).

Rejection Criteria

Specimens that are not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Measure total volume of 24-hour or timed urine specimen. Record total volume and collection start and end dates and times in the LIS system. Aliquot a minimum of 10 mL from the well-mixed 24-hour or timed urine collection.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room temperature (20–26°C or 68–78.8°F): 4 hours
Refrigerated (2–8°C or 36–46°F): 4 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): For longer storage.

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2–8°C or 36–46°F): 7 days (An aliquot is stored for 30 days.)

Laboratory

Dearborn Chemistry Laboratory
Farmington Hills Chemistry Laboratory
Grosse Pointe Chemistry Laboratory
Livonia Main Laboratory
Lenox Main Laboratory
Royal Oak Automated Chemistry Laboratory
Troy Chemistry Laboratory

Performed

Sunday – Saturday.
Results available within 24 hours.

Reference Range

Urine Amylase: 2–17 Units/Hour.
Normal ranges for random urines or for collections other than 24 hours have not been established.

Test Methodology

Spectrophotometry.

Interpretation

• Serum amylase may be normal even in the presence of pancreatitis, especially with relapsing and chronic pancreatitis. Increases in urine amylase may persist for longer than the serum increases, and therefore may be useful in patient diagnosis. Urine amylase can also be helpful in the diagnosis of pancreatic pseudocyst, in which the level may remain elevated for weeks after the serum level has returned to normal.
• Increased urinary amylase levels are seen in about 25% of patients with carcinoma of the pancreas. Patients with macroamylasemia have increased serum amylase levels and normal urine amylase levels. Urine amylase levels are normal in renal failure unlike serum amylase levels.

Clinical Utility

The urinary amylase assay aids in the diagnosis of pancreatitis, pancreatic pseudocyst and macroamylasemia.

CPT Codes

82150, 25311-2
LOINC: 1799-6

Contacts

Last Updated

10/3/2023