Wallach's Interpretation of Diagnostic Tests: Pathways to Arriving at a Clinical Diagnosis (691 page)

   Target analyte:
D
-amphetamine. Will not give positive results with
L
-amphetamine,
L
-methamphetamine, phenylpropanolamine, MDMA, MDE.

   May produce positive results with MDA.

   Confirmation [serum/urine]:

   Confirmation techniques do not typically differentiate between
D
and
L
forms of amphetamine and methamphetamine.

AMYLASE

   Definition

   Amylases are a group of hydrolases that degrade complex carbohydrates into fragments. Amylase is produced by the exocrine pancreas and the salivary glands to aid in the digestion of starch. It is also produced by the small intestine mucosa, ovaries, placenta, liver, and fallopian tubes.

   
Normal range:
5–125 U/L.

   Use

   To diagnose and monitor pancreatitis or other pancreatic diseases

   In the workup of any intra-abdominal inflammatory event

   Interpretation

Increased In

   Acute pancreatitis (e.g., alcoholic, autoimmune). Urine levels reflect serum changes by a time lag of 6–10 hours.

   Acute exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis.