Overview
- Plasma levels derived mainly from small intestine (duodenal mucosa), liver and pancreas → excreted through kidneys.
- Inflammation of pancreas release large amounts.
Uses
In combination
- Diagnosis of pancreatitis
with lipase and TLI .
Result data
Normal (reference) values
- No absolute values - individual laboratories should provide normal range for their test.
US
- Example of reference interval: 185-700 u/l.
Abnormal values
- >3 times upper limit - almost diagnostic for acute pancreatitis.
- 2-3 x upper limit - probably acute pancreatitis
- <2 x upper limit - uncertain origin.
- Acute pancreatitis .
- Small intestinal obstruction (if still eating).
- Other intestinal disturbances (infarction, ulceration, torsion).
- Glucocorticoid therapy (variable).
- Azathioprine therapy.
- Idiopathic hyperamylasemia.
Errors and Artifacts
False increase
- Decreased glomerular filtration rate.
- Renal failure.
- Hemolysis.
- Increased [bilirubin].
- Lipemia.
- Glucocorticoids can cause increased levels (not predicatable).
- Renal failure may result in reduced elimination and hence false elevation.
Sources
Publications
Refereed papers
- Simpson K W, Batt R M, McLean L et al(1989) Circulating concetrations of trypsin-like immunoreactivity and activities of lipase and amylase after pancreatic duct ligation in dogs. Am J Vet Res 50 , 629.
- Hall T A & Macy D W (1988) Acute pancreatitis. Comp Cont Educ Pract Vet 10 , 403.
Other sources of information
- Ettinger S J & Feldman E C (eds) (2000) Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 5th edn. Philadelphia: W B Saunders & Co.
- Kaneko J J, Harvey J W & Brass M L (eds) (1997) Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals. 5th edn. Boston: Academic Press.
- Duncan J R, Prasse K W & Mahaffey E A (1994) Veterinary Laboratory Medicine. Clinical Pathology. 3rd edn. Iowa: Iowa University Press.
