Causes of Elevated Serum Amylase

[Show Table Outline]

Pronounced Elevation (5 or more times normal)

• Acute pancreatitis
• Pancreatic pseudocyst
• Morphine administration

Moderate Elevation (3-5 times normal)

• Advanced carcinoma of the pancreatic head
• Mumps
• Parotitis
• Perforated peptic ulcer (sometimes)
• Duodenal obstruction

Mild Elevation (up to 3 times normal)

• Chronic pancreatitis (nonadvanced)
• Renal failure
• Common bile duct obstruction
• Gastric resection

Adapted from Sacher, RA, and McPherson, RA: Widmann's Clinical Interpretation of Laboratory Tests, ed 11. FA Davis, Philadelphia, 2000, p. 554, with permission.

[Table Outline]

• Pronounced Elevation (5 or more times normal)
• Moderate Elevation (3-5 times normal)
• Mild Elevation (up to 3 times normal)