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Amylase is an enzyme that changes complex sugars (starches) into
simple sugars during digestion. Levels of amylase in the blood can be used to
help diagnose and monitor diseases, such as diseases of the pancreas and
salivary glands, or to determine whether the intestines have been
There are two kinds of amylase enzymes:
Current as of:
February 19, 2016
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology
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