Macroamylasemia

Definition:

A condition in which macroamylase appears in the blood in elevated concentrations. Approximately 1 percent of the population has macroamylasemia. Macroamylase is a larger molecule consisting of amylase bound to a protein (an autoantibody). Unlike amylase, macroamylase is filtered very slowly from the blood by the kidneys. Having macroamylasemia causes an elevated amylase reading. An increased amount of macroamylase in the blood has not been associated with any disease, as opposed to an increase in amylase which may be associated with diseases of the pancreas.