Amylase

Amylase is an enzyme made mainly by your pancreas and salivary glands that helps digest carbohydrates. A blood or urine test measuring amylase is often used to check for problems with the pancreas, such as inflammation (pancreatitis), or with the salivary glands. High amylase levels can signal pancreatic or salivary gland issues, but many other conditions can also raise amylase, so your doctor will consider your symptoms and other test results together. Low amylase levels are usually not a major concern on their own. Your healthcare provider is best positioned to explain what your specific result means for your health.

When elevated: Elevated serum amylase may indicate acute or chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic duct obstruction, salivary gland inflammation (parotitis), or other intra-abdominal pathology. Persistent or markedly elevated levels warrant further clinical and imaging evaluation to identify the underlying etiology. When low: Low serum amylase is generally of limited clinical significance but may be observed in advanced chronic pancreatitis with significant exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, severe liver disease, or cystic fibrosis. Isolated low amylase rarely guides clinical decision-making without supporting clinical context.

Amylase is not a primary performance or training-load biomarker for athletes. However, persistently elevated serum amylase can signal pancreatic inflammation or ductal stress, which may impair nutrient absorption and recovery—particularly relevant if an athlete experiences abdominal pain, nausea, or unexplained fatigue alongside intense training or dietary changes.