Laboratory

 Amylase Test What is an Amylase Test? An amylase test measures the amount of amylase in your blood or urine (pee). Amylase is an enzyme, or special protein, that helps you digest carbohydrates. Most of the amylase in your body is made by your pancreas and salivary glands. A small amount of amylase in your blood and urine is normal. But having too much or too little may be a sign of a disorder of the pancreas or salivary glands, or another medical condition. Other names: Amy test, serum amylase, urine amylase What is it used for? Tests for amylase in blood or urine are mainly used to diagnose problems with your pancreas, including pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas. It is also used to monitor chronic (long-term) pancreatitis. Increases and decreases in amylase levels show up in blood before urine, so an amylase urine test may be done with or after an amylase blood test. One or both types of amylase test may also be used to help diagnose or monitor treatment for ...

ALT Blood Test What is an ALT Blood Test? ALT stands for alanine transaminase. It is an enzyme found mostly in the liver. An ALT test measures the amount of ALT in the blood. When liver cells are damaged, they release ALT into the bloodstream. High levels of ALT in your blood may be a sign of a liver injury or disease. Some types of liver disease cause high ALT levels before you have symptoms of the disease. So, an ALT blood test may help diagnose certain liver diseases early. Other names: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Serum Glutamic-Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT), GPT What is it used for? An ALT blood test is often part of a routine blood screening to check the health of your liver. The test may also help diagnose or monitor liver problems. Why do I need an ALT blood test? Your health care provider may order an ALT blood test, as part of a routine checkup. An ALT test is usually done with a group of other liver function tests that check how well your liver is working. These tests may a...