Amylase, 24 Hours Urine Test
About Amylase, 24 Hours Urine Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Urine amylase, Amy test (urine), 24-hour urinary amylase, urinary amylase 24H |
| Sample Type | 24-hour urine collection |
| Fasting Required | No fasting needed; avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before starting the collection |
| Report Time | 1 day |
| Recommended For | All genders and ages; particularly for those with symptoms pointing to pancreatic disorders |
| Price | Starting at ₹500 |
What is an Amylase, 24 Hours Urine Test?
The amylase test measures the level of amylase, an enzyme that helps break down carbohydrates, in your urine collected over a full 24-hour period. Amylase is produced mainly by the pancreas and the salivary glands. Doctors order this test when they suspect a problem with the pancreas or related organs. It is also known as the urine amylase test, 24-hour urinary amylase, or Amy test (urine).
What Does an Amylase, 24 Hours Urine Test Measure?
This test measures the total amount of amylase passed in your urine over 24 hours. A full-day collection is used because amylase levels in urine can shift throughout the day, so a single sample may not give a complete picture.
The table below summarises the key parameter measured:
| Parameter | What It Tells Us |
|---|---|
| 24-hour urine amylase | The total amylase excreted over a day, reflecting how much the pancreas and salivary glands are releasing |
One important advantage of the urine test is that amylase remains detectable in urine for several days after blood levels have returned to normal. This makes the amylase test procedure particularly useful when a diagnosis needs to be confirmed a few days after symptoms first appeared.
Why is an Amylase, 24 Hours Urine Test Done?
A doctor may request this test for several reasons, from investigating new symptoms to tracking a known condition over time.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
The following symptoms are among the most common reasons a doctor orders this test:
- Upper abdominal pain that spreads to the back or worsens after eating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever without a clear cause
- Loss of appetite
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes)
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
This test can help identify a range of conditions affecting the pancreas and related organs.
- Acute pancreatitis (sudden inflammation of the pancreas) and flare-ups of chronic pancreatitis
- Pancreatic pseudocyst (a fluid-filled sac in the pancreas)
- Cancers of the pancreas, breast, colon, ovary, or lung
- Salivary gland infection (sialadenitis)
- Perforated peptic ulcer, intestinal blockage, or intestinal tissue death
- Acute cholecystitis (sudden gallbladder inflammation)
- Macroamylasaemia (a benign condition where amylase binds to a protein in the blood, causing low urine amylase)
Amylase, 24 Hours Urine Test for Chronic Disease Monitoring
This test is also used to monitor chronic pancreatitis over time. In long-term, stable chronic pancreatitis, both blood and urine amylase levels are often lower than normal. Repeating the test at intervals helps doctors assess how the pancreas is functioning and whether treatment is having the desired effect.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required for this test. However, you should not drink alcohol for at least 24 hours before starting the collection. Staying well hydrated throughout the collection period is important to avoid dehydration affecting the results.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Keep the following points in mind before and during the collection:
- Tell your doctor about all prescription and over-the-counter medicines you take, especially corticosteroids, diuretics, indomethacin, or oral contraceptives, as these can affect results.
- Avoid strenuous exercise and alcohol for 24 hours before starting the collection.
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and any relevant family history, as this is required for the test.
- Keep the collection container refrigerated throughout the 24-hour period; do not allow the sample to freeze.
Step-by-Step Procedure
- On the morning you begin, empty your bladder completely when you first wake up, but do not save this urine. Note the exact time as your start time.
- For the next 24 hours, collect every urine sample in the large sterile container provided by the lab. Keep this container refrigerated at all times.
- Each time you urinate, first pass urine into a small clean cup, then pour it into the large container. Avoid touching the inside of either container.
- At the end of the 24-hour period, empty your bladder one final time into the container and note the finish time.
- A 5 mL aliquot (a small measured portion) from the total 24-hour collection will be used for testing at the lab.
- Hand over the sample to the Lupin Diagnostics collection team or centre as soon as possible. Keep it cool during transport but do not freeze it.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can interfere with the test result.
- Incomplete collection (missing even one urine sample during the 24 hours)
- Alcohol consumption before or during the collection period
- Contamination of the sample with saliva, stool, menstrual blood, or pubic hair
- Certain medications such as diuretics, corticosteroids, or oral contraceptives
- High cholesterol or high triglyceride levels, which may cause results to read lower than expected
- Reduced kidney function, which can affect how amylase is cleared from the body
Understanding Your Amylase, 24 Hours Urine Test Results
Your doctor will review your results alongside your symptoms and medical history. The table below shows generally accepted reference ranges, though these can differ between laboratories:
| Parameter | Normal Range |
|---|---|
| 24-hour urine amylase | 1 to 17 U/hour |
| 24-hour urine amylase (alternate unit) | 2.6 to 21.2 IU/h |
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
High results may point to acute or worsening chronic pancreatitis, salivary gland swelling, pancreatic or other cancers, gallbladder inflammation, appendicitis, or intestinal obstruction. Low results may suggest chronic pancreatitis, liver disease, kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, or macroamylasaemia.
Results During Special Conditions
Kidney function has a direct effect on how the body processes amylase. People with reduced kidney function tend to have higher average amylase levels in the blood because the kidneys clear less amylase. In acute pancreatitis, the kidneys clear amylase at a significantly increased rate.
Chronic alcohol use can also raise salivary amylase levels independently of pancreatic disease. This is worth noting when a doctor interprets results in someone with a history of heavy alcohol consumption.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
These are general wellness tips to support pancreatic health:
- Limit alcohol intake, as long-term heavy use can damage the pancreas.
- Follow a balanced diet that is not too high in fatty or fried foods.
- Stay adequately hydrated each day, which supports healthy organ function overall.
Lupin Diagnostics Amylase, 24 Hours Urine Test Price and Home Collection
The amylase test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹500, and home sample collection is available. The table below shows indicative amylase test price ranges across major Indian cities:
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 520 |
| CHENNAI | 450 |
| HYDERABAD | 450 |
| KOLKATA | 550 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 500 |
| PUNE | 450 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
- Select the Amylase, 24 Hours Urine Test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred time slot.
- Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Home Collection
Lupin Diagnostics offers amylase test home collection across cities, making it easy to start your 24-hour collection from the comfort of your home. The collection team will provide the sterile container and guide you through the process. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories, and reports are delivered digitally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Amylase levels in urine can shift throughout the day. A single sample may not reflect your true average level. Collecting urine over a full 24 hours gives a more accurate picture of how much amylase your body is producing and excreting.
Blood amylase levels rise quickly but may return to normal within a day or two. Urine amylase often stays elevated for several days longer. This is why the urine amylase test can still detect abnormalities even after a blood test has returned to normal.
Changes in amylase typically show up in the blood before they appear in urine. However, urine amylase tends to reach higher levels and stay elevated for longer. Doctors sometimes order both tests together for a more complete assessment.
Yes. Certain medicines, including corticosteroids, diuretics, indomethacin, and oral contraceptives, can affect amylase test results. Let your doctor know about all medicines and supplements you are taking before the test so they can advise you appropriately.
There is no known physical risk associated with a urine collection. The process is entirely non-invasive and painless. The most common issue is an incomplete collection, which is why it is important to follow the instructions carefully throughout the full 24-hour period.
Keep the large collection container in a refrigerator throughout the entire 24-hour period. Do not let the sample freeze. When transporting it to the lab or handing it to the collection team, keep it cool. Contamination or incorrect storage can affect the accuracy of your amylase test results.
Amylase, 24 Hours Urine Test
