Complete Blood Count (CBC)
This test measures the level of pancreatic amylase enzyme in the fluid surrounding your lungs to help diagnose conditions affecting the pancreas and chest cavity.
{"Measures pancreatic amylase enzyme in pleural fluid (lung cavity fluid)","Helps diagnose pancreaticopleural fistula (abnormal connection between pancreas and chest)","High levels often indicate pancreatic disease or damage","Used to find the cause of unexplained pleural effusions (fluid buildup around lungs)","Results help doctors determine if surgery or other treatments are needed"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 70270-4
- Short code
- Amylase P Plr-cCnc
- Synonyms
- Amylase P Plr-cCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- fluid
- Container
- Sterile tube
- Units
- N/A
- Critical range
- — – 500 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Specimen volume
- 2-5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 2h, Refrigerated: 24h
- Hemolysis max
- 300
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
The Complete Blood Count (CBC) is a common blood test that measures the different cells in your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, to give your doctor an overall picture of your health.
The pleural fluid amylase test measures the amount of pancreatic amylase in the fluid collected from the pleural space—the area between your lungs and chest wall. Amylase is an enzyme produced by the pancreas that helps your body digest carbohydrates. When the pancreas is damaged or has an abnormal connection to the pleural space, amylase can leak into the pleural fluid.
Your doctor may order this test as part of a routine checkup or to help diagnose and monitor conditions such as anemia, infections, and other disorders that affect your blood, bone marrow, or immune system.
Your doctor may order this test if you have a pleural effusion (fluid buildup around the lungs) and the cause is unknown. It helps determine if the fluid accumulation is related to pancreatic problems, such as acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, or a pancreaticopleural fistula—an abnormal tube-like connection between the pancreas and the pleural cavity.
A healthcare professional will draw a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm using a needle. The procedure takes only a few minutes, and you can usually return to your normal activities right away.
A healthcare provider will perform a procedure called thoracentesis to collect the pleural fluid. First, they will clean the skin over your chest and inject a local anesthetic to numb the area. Then, they will insert a thin needle between your ribs to withdraw fluid from the pleural space. The sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis.
Your results show whether your blood cell counts fall within the normal range. Abnormal levels may point to conditions such as infection, anemia, or clotting problems, but your doctor will interpret them alongside your symptoms and medical history.
Normal pleural fluid should have very low or undetectable amylase levels. High levels of amylase in pleural fluid typically indicate that pancreatic enzymes are leaking into the chest cavity, often due to a pancreaticopleural fistula, pancreatitis, or pancreatic cancer. Your doctor will interpret these results along with other tests and your overall clinical condition.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Elevated amylase in pleural fluid is primarily associated with pancreaticopleural fistula, a rare but serious complication of pancreatitis where a duct connecting the pancreas to the chest becomes blocked or ruptured. This allows pancreatic enzymes, including amylase, to travel into the pleural space, causing fluid accumulation. High levels may also indicate pancreatic cancer, chronic pancreatitis, or trauma to the pancreas. The test helps differentiate pancreatic causes of pleural effusion from other causes such as heart failure, infection, or tuberculosis.
Frequently asked questions
Is the thoracentesis procedure painful?
How long does it take to get results?
Do I need to fast before this test?
What happens if my results are high?
Are there risks associated with this test?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy