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Macroamylasemia
Macroamylasemia is the presence of an abnormal substance called macroamylase in the blood.
Causes
Macroamylase is a substance that consists of an enzyme , called amylase, attached to a protein. Because it is large, macroamylase is filtered very slowly from the blood by the kidneys.
Enzyme
Enzymes are complex proteins that cause a specific chemical change in all parts of the body. For example, they can help break down the foods we eat ...
Most people with macroamylasemia do not have a serious disease that is causing it, but the condition has been associated with:
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Celiac disease
Celiac disease
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Rheumatoid arthritis
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Ulcerative colitis
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Symptoms
Macroamylasemia does not cause symptoms.
Exams and Tests
A blood test will show high levels of amylase. However, macroamylasemia can look similar to acute pancreatitis , which also causes high levels of amylase in the blood.
Acute pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is sudden swelling and inflammation of the pancreas.
Measuring amylase levels in the urine can help tell macroamylasemia apart from acute pancreatitis. Urine levels of amylase are low in people with macroamylasemia, but high in people with acute pancreatitis.
References
Forsmark CE. Pancreatitis. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 144.
Tenner S, Steinberg WM. Acute pancreatitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 58.
Review Date: 10/27/2015
Reviewed By: Subodh K. Lal, MD, gastroenterologist with Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia, Austell, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
