Buy backpacks, exercise machines, athletic shoes, and more at Fogdog Sports. Further Reading Definition Amylase is a digestive enzyme made primarily by the pancreas and salivary glands.
Enzymes are substances made and used by the body to trigger specific chemical reactions.
The primary function of the enzyme amylase is to break down starches in food so that they can be used by the body. Amylase testing is usually done to determine the cause of sudden abdominal pain. Purpose Amylase testing is performed to diagnose a number of diseases that elevate amylase levels. Pancreatitis, for example, is the most common reason for a high amylase level. When the pancreas is inflamed, amylase escapes from the pancreas into the blood.