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Macroamylasemia

Contents of this page:

Definition    Return to top

Macroamylasemia is the presence of an abnormal substance called macroamylase in the blood.

Causes    Return to top

Macroamylase is a molecule that consists of an enzyme, called amylase, which is attached to a protein. Because it is relatively large, macroamylase is filtered very slowly from the blood by the kidneys.

Macroamylasemia has been associated with:

Symptoms    Return to top

Macroamylasemia does not cause symptoms.

Exams and Tests    Return to top

A blood test will show high levels of amylase. However, macroamylasemia can be confused with acute pancreatitis, which also causes high levels of amylase in the blood.

Macroamylasemia can be diagnosed by measuring amylase levels in the urine. Urine levels of amylase would be low. (Urine amylase levels are high in patients with acute pancreatitis.)

References    Return to top

Owyang C. Pancreatitis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 147.

Update Date: 10/18/2008

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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