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Amylase normal range and what a raised value means

Amylase is an enzyme, a protein that speeds up a conversion in the body, and according to the NVKC, the Dutch society for clinical chemistry, it helps digest sugars from food. Both the pancreas and the salivary glands make it, and a quarter of the amylase in the blood leaves the body through the kidneys and the urine.

According to the NVKC, a strongly raised amylase value can point to acute pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas, and a gradually falling value to ongoing damage to the pancreas. Only a blood test shows how much amylase is in the blood.

Star-SHL uses 28 to 119 U/l (units per litre) for adults aged 19 up to and including 50, Unilabs 0 to 107 U/l for all ages, and Certe an upper limit of 107 U/l from age 18.

Turnaround up to 72 hours, estimate Turnaround: up to 72 hours after your blood draw (estimate).

Amylase is a digestive enzyme from the pancreas and the salivary glands. For adults up to 50, the upper limit at the laboratories lies between 107 and 119 U/l.

  • In acute pancreatitis the value can reach four to six times normal within 12 hours.
  • A raised value does not always point to the pancreas: reduced kidney function and macroamylase raise it too.
  • Diagnostiek voor U does not measure amylase; a request is converted to lipase there.

Reference Ranges

See the value that applies to you:

Choose male or female — this range differs by sex.

Enter your age — this range changes with age.

This range also depends on context such as cycle phase or sample material; the highlighted rows apply to your group.

Your reference range
u/l
27 141 u/l
Reference ranges by group, in u/l
6–12 years 30–128 u/l
30 128
13–18 years 28–120 u/l
28 120
19–50 years 28–119 u/l
28 119
51–65 years 27–134 u/l
27 134
66–80 years 27–141 u/l
27 141
81 years and older 27–139 u/l
27 139
27 141 u/l

Source: NVKC Reference population: Dutch general-practice population (NUMBER, n = 7,574,327)

Reference values can vary between laboratories. Discuss your results with your GP for explanation and treatment decisions.

Amylase: what Dutch laboratories use

The upper limit runs from 107 u/l at Unilabs to 119 u/l at Star-shl.

Reference ranges by group, in u/l
Star-shl · Everyone · 19–50 years 28–119 U/l
28 119
Star-shl · Everyone · 51–65 years 27–134 U/l
27 134
Star-shl · Everyone · 66–80 years 27–141 U/l
27 141
Star-shl · Everyone · 81 years and older 27–139 U/l
27 139
Unilabs · Everyone 0–107 U/l
0 107
Certe · Everyone · 18 years and older · a limit, not a range < 107 U/L
107
0 155.1 u/l

Source: Star-shl

Source: Unilabs

Source: Certe

Each value as the laboratory itself publishes it, retrieved in 2026.

Amylase: what this test measures

The amylase test measures the activity of the enzyme amylase in the blood, expressed in units per litre (U/l). Star-SHL measures in serum, the fluid of clotted blood, and Unilabs in plasma with heparin, a substance that prevents clotting.

According to a Cochrane review, there are two major forms of amylase, one from the pancreas and one from the salivary glands. Other tissues, such as the small intestine and skeletal muscle, also make amylase according to that review.

Amylase: why this value matters

According to the NVKC, a strongly raised amylase can point to acute pancreatitis. A raised amylase does not necessarily point to problems with the pancreas, according to the NVKC, because reduced kidney function also raises the value, as the kidneys then pass less amylase into the urine.

For the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, according to a Cochrane review, an amylase or lipase of at least three times the upper limit is usually required, together with fitting abdominal pain or imaging.

Amylase: how the blood test works

Referral
No GP referral needed. After the order we arrange the referral through ZorgDomein, within one business day; orders after 17:00 or at the weekend start on the next business day. ZorgDomein emails a barcode, and that barcode is what the draw site needs.
The draw
A blood draw from a vein in the arm, at a partner laboratory's draw site. No home kit, no finger prick.
Results
Turnaround: up to 72 hours after your blood draw (estimate).
Where
650+ draw sites run by independent laboratories across the Netherlands. Draw sites

Amylase: when is testing worthwhile?

Amylase is measured, according to the NVKC, the Dutch society for clinical chemistry, to establish whether someone has pancreatitis or another condition of the pancreas, for example with severe abdominal pain, fever, reduced appetite or nausea. The NVKC also names checking the effect of treatment for some forms of pancreatic cancer.

Amylase: symptoms of a high or low value

Low Levels

A low amylase in blood and urine can point to damage to the pancreatic cells that make amylase, according to the NVKC. In chronic pancreatitis, an initial rise is followed by a fall over time as the damage continues.

According to the NVKC, long-term heavy drinking, trauma, gallstones or an inherited condition such as cystic fibrosis can lead to such a chronic inflammation.

High Levels

In acute pancreatitis amylase can be raised, and according to a Cochrane review that inflammation is marked by a sudden, persistent and severe pain in the upper abdomen, often spreading to the back. According to a US review, nausea and vomiting often come with it.

Such pain is a reason to call a doctor straight away. According to the NVKC, a slight rise can occur with many conditions in the upper abdomen, and gallstones and pancreatic cancer can also raise amylase.

Amylase: causes of a low or high value

What lowers the value

  • Chronic pancreatitis

    When damage to the pancreas persists, amylase falls gradually after an initial rise.

  • Long-term heavy drinking

    Alcohol can lead to chronic pancreatitis, with falling amylase as a result.

  • Cystic fibrosis

    This inherited condition can cause chronic pancreatitis and so lower amylase.

What raises the value

  • Acute pancreatitis

    Within 12 hours amylase can rise to four to six times the normal level, and after successful treatment it falls within a few days.

  • Gallstones

    Gallstones can raise amylase in the blood.

  • Pancreatic cancer

    Amylase can also be raised in cancer of the pancreas.

  • Reduced kidney function

    Part of the amylase leaves the body through the kidneys, so when they work less well more of it stays in the blood.

  • Macroamylase

    Amylase bound to other proteins is poorly cleared by the kidneys; this is harmless and causes no symptoms.

Amylase: lifestyle and this value

Discuss a raised amylase with a doctor, even without symptoms.

According to a Cochrane review, gallstones and alcohol are the two main causes of acute pancreatitis, the condition a strongly raised amylase can point to.

Amylase: frequently asked questions

What is the difference between amylase and lipase?

Amylase and lipase are both enzymes of the pancreas, but according to a US review lipase is more sensitive and specific for acute pancreatitis, partly because amylase also comes from the salivary glands. Ordering both tests together adds little to nothing to the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, according to another review.

What is macroamylase?

Macroamylase is amylase that is bound to other proteins in the blood and is therefore poorly cleared by the kidneys, so the amylase value in the blood is raised. According to the NVKC, it is a benign condition without symptoms.

How fast does amylase rise in pancreatitis?

In acute pancreatitis, amylase usually rises within 6 to 24 hours, peaks at 48 hours and falls to normal or near normal over the following 5 to 7 days, according to a Cochrane review.

Why does the amylase normal range differ between laboratories?

The amylase normal range differs between laboratories because, according to the NVKC, the measured amount depends on the standardisation of the test method. Star-SHL, for example, uses an upper limit of 119 U/l for adults aged 19 up to and including 50, and Unilabs 107 U/l for all ages.

Amylase: sources

  1. den Elzen WPJ, Brouwer N, Thelen MH, Le Cessie S, Haagen I-A, Cobbaert CM. NUMBER: standardized reference intervals in the Netherlands using a 'big data' approach. Clin Chem Lab Med 2018;57(1):42-56. (retrieved 2026) doi.org
  2. Star-shl, Labbepalingen (referentiewaarden per bepaling), star-shl.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) star-shl.nl
  3. Unilabs, Bepalingenklapper (referentiewaarden per bepaling), bepalingenklapper.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) bepalingenklapper.nl
  4. Certe, Bepalingenwijzer (referentiewaarden per bepaling), bepalingenwijzer.certe.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) bepalingenwijzer.certe.nl
  5. NVKC, Alles over testen: Amylase, allesovertesten.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-03 (retrieved 2026) allesovertesten.nl

Tests with related values

These panels measure values from the same category as this marker.

Turnaround 48 hours, estimate

Full blood test

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ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase) Creatinine eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) Total Cholesterol HDL Cholesterol LDL Cholesterol Triglycerides Glucose (Fasting) Hemoglobin Hematocrit Erythrocytes (RBC) Leukocytes (WBC) MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume) Platelets (Thrombocytes) TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) Ferritin CRP (C-Reactive Protein)
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Results without a doctor's assessment

You receive your values with the unit and reference range. A doctor's assessment is not part of this site. Discuss your results with your GP for explanation and treatment decisions.

Amylase

€16,-