Amylase Isoenzymes/Lipase
Biochemistry Overview / Directory
Purpose of the test
Differentiation of amylase into pancreatic and non-pancreatic (predominantly salivary) is valuable in determing whether hyperamylasaemia in HIV patients receiving highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) including nucleoside analogues (ddI, ddC etc) is due to drug induced pancreatitis or an increase in the non-pancreatic fraction. In particular there is a significant proportion of subjects of African origin who have a value for non-pancreatic amylase above the usual reference range derived from Caucasian populations. Simultaneous measurement of lipase can provide additional discriminatory power due to its greater specificity for the pancreas. In situations where both the pancreatic and non-pancreatic fractions of amylase are elevated but lipase is normal, macroamylasaemia should be suspected. Amylase fractions are differentiated by immunosubtraction. Both assays are carried out on the IL ILAB 300 PLUS.
Reference Range
The normal range for serum amylase is 0 - 100 U/L with a 50:50 mixture of pancreatic to non-pancreatic fractions. The normal range for serum lipase is 5.0 - 65 U/L
Sample Requirements
Serum (250 µL).
Storage and Transport
Stable at 4°C for up to one week. Send by overnight first class post
Turnaround Time
Approximately 1-2 weeks.
Price
Price available on application - please contact adrian.turner@kch.nhs.uk. Discounts could be available for significant workloads.
Contacts
Dr Roy Sherwood
T 020 3299 3726
Colin Stone
T 020 3299 4128 / 4121
