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. For example, they can help break down the foods we eat so the body can use them....
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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- HIV infection
- Monoclonal gammopathy
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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 cause test results 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. Other tests such as the polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation assay are sometimes done to confirm the diagnosis.
References
Forsmark CE. Pancreatitis. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 130.
Siddiqi HA, Rabinowitz S, Axiotis CA. Laboratory diagnosis of gastrointestinal and pancreatic disorders. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 23.
Vege SS. Acute pancreatitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 58.
Review Date: 12/31/2023
Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Aria - Jefferson Health Torresdale, Jefferson Digestive Diseases Network, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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