Normal individuals have low but measurable serum and urine α‑amylase activity which is produced in the pancreas and parotid glands. Measurement of α-amylase activity is of value in diagnosing pancreatitis and other pancreatic disorders which result in elevation of serum and urine α-amylase activity.

Pancreatic amylase is elevated in acute pancreatitis within 12 hours of onset and persists 3 to 4 days. The elevation is usually 4-fold to 6-fold the upper reference limit. Macroamylase may cause less dramatic and more persistent elevations of p-amylase over weeks or months. This is usually accompanied by a reduced amylase clearance.
 

Values over the normal reference interval in patients with histories consistent with acute pancreatitis are confirmatory. Peak values are often 200 U/L or higher. Macroamylasemia may cause small, but persistent elevations of amylase. 

An elevation of total serum alpha-amylase does not specifically indicate a pancreatic disorder since the enzyme is produced by the salivary glands, mucosa of the small intestine, ovaries, placenta, liver, and the lining of the fallopian tubes. Two isoenzymes, pancreatic and salivary, are found in serum. Pancreatic amylase has been shown to be more useful than total amylase when evaluating patients with acute pancreatitis.