Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Sign In
Navigate Up

22686 Macroamylase, Serum

Macroamylase, Serum
Test Code: MISC
Useful For
When hyperamylesemia occurs for no apparent reason or other tests do not confirm pancreatitis, macroamylasemia should be considered.  This condition “a biochemical aberration in search of a disease,” is caused by the complexing of serum amylase with a protein (IgA and IgG).  This complex has a high molecular weight (>150,000 Dalton) compared to the molecular weight of normal amylase (about 50,000 Daltons).  Consequently, the renal clearance of this macromolecular enzyme “macroamylase” is decreased and hyperamylesamia may occur.  As many as 1-2% of the adult population may have macroamylasemia; some with normal total amylase levels.  The diagnostic significance of macroamylase is the need to differentiate it from other causes of hyperamylasemias.​
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​ Serum/ Plasma​ Red Top (RTT)
Lithium or Sodium-heparin Green Top (GTT)​		 Lithium-heparin Plasma Separator (PST)​ 1 mL​ 0.5 mL​ ​
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum/ Plasma​ Refrigerate​ 7 days​
​ Frozen​ >7 days
Rejection Criteria
EDTA, oxalate, or sodium citrate preservatives.
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Marshfield​ Monday through Sunday​ Less than 2 hours​ Selective precipitation/ Beckman DXC​
Test Information
This is a qualitative screening test and is included in Amylase Isoenzyme Panel (AMY-ISO) which includes a total amylase, p-amylase, and Macro-amylase are required.
 
If only Macroamylase is ordered, the test code MISC should be ordered and results manually entered via comment fields.​
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
 Marshfield ​ Negative​
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
84999 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​ Serum/ Plasma​ Red Top (RTT)
Lithium or Sodium-heparin Green Top (GTT)​		 Lithium-heparin Plasma Separator (PST)​ 1 mL​ 0.5 mL​ ​
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum/ Plasma​ Refrigerate​ 7 days​
​ Frozen​ >7 days
Rejection Criteria
EDTA, oxalate, or sodium citrate preservatives.
Useful For
When hyperamylesemia occurs for no apparent reason or other tests do not confirm pancreatitis, macroamylasemia should be considered.  This condition “a biochemical aberration in search of a disease,” is caused by the complexing of serum amylase with a protein (IgA and IgG).  This complex has a high molecular weight (>150,000 Dalton) compared to the molecular weight of normal amylase (about 50,000 Daltons).  Consequently, the renal clearance of this macromolecular enzyme “macroamylase” is decreased and hyperamylesamia may occur.  As many as 1-2% of the adult population may have macroamylasemia; some with normal total amylase levels.  The diagnostic significance of macroamylase is the need to differentiate it from other causes of hyperamylasemias.​
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
 Marshfield ​ Negative​
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Marshfield​ Monday through Sunday​ Less than 2 hours​ Selective precipitation/ Beckman DXC​
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
84999 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.