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