Test Name

Amylase

Specimen Type & Acceptability

Serum
7 days refrigerated

General Use

Used for the work-up for abdominal pain, epigastric tenderness, nausea, and vomiting. These findings characterize acute pancreatitis and acute surgical emergencies such as gastrointestinal perforation (eg, peptic ulcer with perforation) or bowel infarct. Amylase is used in the differential diagnosis of acute or chronic pancreatitis.

CPT Code(s)

82150

Special Instructions

Let clot for 10-20 minutes. After the sample is fully clotted, centrifuge the sample. Verify complete separation of cells and serum and refrigerate.

Container/Tube Type

Volume

1 mL Min. vol. = 100 ul

Suggested Tube Types

Description

Typical Volume

Gold Top Serum Separator Tube (SST)

⋜ 5 mL

Tiger Top Serum Separator Tube (SST)
^For larger volume tests

> 5 mL

Red Top Tube (No additive)

⋜ 5 mL

EDTA Whole Blood

3 mL

3.2 % Sodium Citrate Whole Blood

2.7 mL

Lithium Heparin Plasma Separator Tube

⋜ 5 mL